There's no denying that the Minnesota Timberwolves need to improve their roster this offseason. Frankly, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are in a tier of their own. However, the Wolves will have to find a way to upgrade their roster without breaking the bank, which could prove to be tricky.
And no, it's not because Minnesota's new ownership is cheap -- it's because of those ever-so-tricky tax aprons. Being a second apron team massively limits your roster flexibility. Three of the most notable restrictions are being forced to match salaries, frozen draft picks, and the inability to aggregate salaries in trades. These penalties get worse for repeat offenders as future draft picks move to the end of the first-round. Since the Wolves were a second apron team in 2024-25, they'll have to consider this.Â
As it stands, the Wolves are $27 million below the second apron. That sounds great, until you realize that's with seven free agents, including Ayo Dosunmu, who could prove to be pricey. Signing Dosunmu and other free agents will almost certainly put the Wolves in one of the aprons.Â
Then the Wolves have to figure out possible trades for their frontcourt players. At this point, it wouldn't surprise me if both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert were traded. Nevertheless, finding a solid return both basketball-wise and financially will prove to be tricky.
The Timberwolves are primed to pursue big moves, but that's easier said than done
Now, Tim Connelly made it clear that ownership is willing to spend big.Â
"I've been very fortunate since I've come here, ownership has been very aggressive, and they're all about winning... I think if we're a team that can really look ourselves in the mirror and be a championship-level team, I don't think money matters. I think where it gets more problematic is your ability to deal make when you get to the second apron," Connelly said.
While that's great news, that ownership is willing to spend, the reality is that nobody wants to be a second apron team, especially multiple times. There's a reason why only one team (the Cleveland Cavaliers) remained over the second apron this season.
For all intents and purposes, the second apron is a hard cap for NBA teams. Avoiding the second apron long-term is why the Wolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns in 2024.
Given how much it hurts your ability to make moves, if the Wolves end up as a second apron team, they better make sure that they truly have a chance to beat the Thunder and Spurs.
The playoffs proved that the Wolves need more talent and better roster construction around Anthony Edwards. Unfortunately, due to the aprons, they might have to settle for simply a more balanced roster while keeping the flexibility advantages of being outside of the second apron. Perhaps this is enough to uplift the Wolves to the promised land, but that's far from a guarantee.Â
If they trade for a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo, they would likely be able to salary match, negating some of the cap issues.Â
Still, the Wolves' lack of draft capital could hinder them in their pursuit of Giannis, and if they pull off a move, it would surely gut their depth, which isn't ideal in a league trending toward depth.
Fans can rest assured that the Wolves will aggressively try to upgrade their roster around Ant. Regardless, the second apron undoubtedly provides a massive hurdle.
Add us as a preferred source on Google