Wolves Expected To Keep Core Intact With Ownership Willing To Pay Massive Luxury Tax

After another brutal exit in the Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves are entering the offseason with a mixture of frustration and hope. 

Despite back-to-back deep playoff runs, the team has failed to advance to the NBA Finals. But in a surprising and bold shift, Timberwolves ownership is reportedly committed to keeping the core intact, even if it means diving deep into the luxury tax.

According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Minnesota’s leadership, including new controlling owner Marc Lore, is signaling a willingness to spend big to keep the roster competitive. 

That includes re-signing key contributors like Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, all of whom could command strong contracts on the open market. With Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert already locked into massive deals, retaining all three would push the Wolves well above the second tax apron.

The front office and ownership view this as a championship window, and breaking up the team over tax concerns could derail years of carefully constructed progress.

One of the key free agents in this equation is Naz Reid, the 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Reid had a breakout season, averaging 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game off the bench. 

His size, shooting touch, and energy made him an essential piece of Chris Finch’s rotation. However, the playoffs exposed some limitations, as Reid’s production dipped to 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds while struggling in key moments during the series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Still, Reid remains a coveted asset. The 25-year-old is expected to decline his $15 million player option and test free agency in hopes of landing a starting role and a long-term deal. In a recent interview, Reid was asked whether he sees himself as a starter in the NBA.

“Yes, 100 percent. But sometimes, if you want to be in a winning position, you might have to sacrifice. I definitely view myself as a starter… but you never know what’s ahead of you.”

While Reid didn’t rule out a return to Minnesota as a rotation player, his comments reflect a player who knows his value and wants to be paid like it. Teams like the Lakers and Pistons are reportedly monitoring his situation closely.

Adding complexity to his offseason is a recent scandal involving leaked private messages in which Reid allegedly used inappropriate language toward a fan and revealed sensitive contract details. The controversy has cast a cloud over his otherwise stellar season, and it may affect how teams view him moving forward.

While Reid's comments hint at flexibility, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst had previously poured cold water on the idea of keeping the core intact, and he isn’t just speculating. 

The Wolves are already a second-apron team, and projections suggest they could face a massive luxury tax bill exceeding $92 million next season if they re-sign all three. It’s an unsustainable path unless the team is truly all-in on contending for a championship immediately.

Adding to the intrigue, Minnesota has reportedly explored the possibility of acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. With Phoenix facing a crossroads of their own after another playoff disappointment and Durant entering his late 30s, a deal could be plausible under the right circumstances. 

For the Wolves, pairing Durant with Anthony Edwards would create one of the league’s most lethal scoring duos, especially with Rudy Gobert anchoring the defense and Mike Conley facilitating the offense.

By all accounts, Timberwolves management is prepared to make bold financial moves to stay competitive. Whether that includes bringing back all three key free agents or finding creative trade-offs to balance the books remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain: Minnesota’s days of rebuilding are over. They’re going all in.