Timberwolves Intend To Be Aggressive In Building Around Anthony Edwards, But Questions Remain

Last year, they traded for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. Minnesota repeated as Western Conference finalists, anyway.

Now, they could lose Randle for nothing in free agency. And Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Both Randle ($30 million) and Reid ($15 million) have player options. Alexander-Walker is unrestricted.

Those are three key players and without them, the Wolves would have holes to fill and questions unanswered. Namely, could you put three new players around Anthony Edwards and get to another level?

Maybe. But maybe not, too.

That said, a league source told Hoops Wire that Minnesota intends to be aggressive in shaping the roster around Edwards. That includes at least keeping Reid. They are also likely to have talks with Alexander-Walker and Randle, should he opt out.

And according to a recent report from our Ashish Mathur, they will take another stab at Kevin Durant.

“The Timberwolves need another ‘alpha’ next to Edwards to win it all, which is why sources told Hoops Wire that Minnesota is expected to pursue a Durant trade again this offseason,” Mathur wrote.

As a team that’s operating in the second apron, that might be tough, but far from impossible.

The Timberwolves a re right there. They proven it with back-to-back trip to the conference Finals. What happens this offseason is likely to determine whether they can get over the hump, or take a step back.