There are a multitude of ways the current season may end for the Minnesota Timberwolves. After winning eight games in a row and 13 consecutive with Julius Randle in the lineup, the Wolves have been limping, losing three of their last four, two to the Indiana Pacers thanks to the hot shooting of Obi Toppin.
Minnesota is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The version of the team that decides to show up in the playoffs will determine how far this team can go. If the Timberwolves are playing their best ball, they could easily find themselves back in the Western Conference Finals for a second consecutive season. But if they are dragging their feet, Minnesota could just as easy find themselves sent home in the opening round.
Regardless of the way the rest of the season goes, the Wolves will have some decisions to make regarding the roster this summer. Obviously, we know that the team pursued Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, seemingly throwing their names in the KD sweepstakes at the last minute. But according to one source, it does not appear they will heavily prioritize revisiting those talks this summer.
Minnesota may be priortizing re-signing Naz Reid over pursuing Durant
The Athletic's Sam Amick stated on a recent podcast that the Timberwolves will be focusing on an extension for Naz Reid this summer rather than honing in on acquiring Durant. Wolves fans should be breathing a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
If the rumor is true, this would certainly be the right decision for Minnesota's management. Kevin Durant is obviously a tremendous individual talent, and his level of play recently has been particularly impressive. But the prospect of adding him to this Timberwolves team was always questionable at best.
The two biggest factors that would make me hesitate to try to acquire KD if I'm Minnesota would be his age and the cost. Durant will be 37 next season and there is no telling how much high-level basketball he has left in him. And if the Phoenix Suns begin asking for players like Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves would do best to simply hang up the phone at that point.
Getting Naz Reid back, despite his sometimes up-and-down performances, has to be Minnesota's top priority. If this is already their mindset months in advance, then they are headed in the right direction leading up to the summer.