Joe Ingles signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason. The 37-year-old is a free agent once again this summer, and it feels likely that he'll move on this offseason. Ingles averaged just 6 minutes, 0.8 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 26.1 shooting from the field across 19 games this past season. Notably, Ingles played just 114 total minutes for the 2024-25 season and didn't appear once in the playoffs.
Given his age, retirement feels like a strong possibility for Ingles. After a successful 11-year career, there's no shame in calling it quits. It's also possible that Ingles will sign with another team. Either way, Ingles likely won't be back in Minnesota next season.
Ingles returning to Minnesota seems unlikley
Throughout his 11-year career, Ingles played for the Jazz, Bucks, Magic, and Timberwolves. He averaged 7.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 40.9 percent from beyond the arc. Ingles' blend of spot-up shooting and secondary playmaking made him a productive role player. However, at this stage of his career, Ingles isn't much of a contributor.
He is still a solid veteran presence and could be rostered as a depth piece. Regardless, for an experienced Wolves team, this role isn't very valuable. Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are all key free agents. It feels unlikely that they'll re-sign Alexander-Walker. However, re-signing Randle and Reid, along with an already high payroll, will likely push the Wolves into one of the tax aprons.
Teams like the Boston Celtics have left one roster spot open for most of the season for a bit of extra flexibility, and the Wolves could take a similar approach. In this scenario, letting Ingles walk or his retirement could open up a roster spot for Minnesota.
The Wolves' financial situation, paired with Ingles possibly retiring, all but guarantees he won't return to the Wolves next season. Additionally, if the Wolves draft another forward, the likelihood of Ingles returning further decreases. If Ingles leaves but wants to remain in the NBA, look for him to sign with a contender in a veteran role since he hasn't won a ring yet. The Thunder, Rockets, Cavs, and Lakers could all be suitors for Ingles in this scenario.
Overall, Ingles has had a great career, but retirement feels like it's on the horizon. Whether Ingles calls it a career or returns for another season, chances are he won't be back in Minnesota next year.