Tim Connelly Gets Honest About Timberwolves’ Free Agents originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Timberwolves 2025 offseason is well underway after two picks in the NBA Draft. The team selected Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky. Apart from their selections, the team is now focused on their free agents.
Timberwolves president Tim Connelly was enamored with other prospects, but he wanted to focus on the current team, so he maximized all the trades he could in the second round. With that eye on free agency, he wants to retain all their big names.
Connelly has always stated that they want to retain their core group of players. That means Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be encouraged to sign contract extensions.
With the improvements they want to make, that might not pan out. However, Connelly wants to convince all three players to sign, despite most people feeling Alexander-Walker might move to another team.
Related: Tim Connelly Announces He Wants To Retain Reid, Alexander-Walker, and Randle
Connelly Wants To Maintain The Core To Remain Competitive
With superstar Anthony Edwards as the focal point, the team must build a great team around him. They have done well with two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances. However, they need to remain competitive with their roster.
“KFC, UFC, USC… OKC in 5” 😭
Ant after losing to the Thunder in the WCF
“First time in two years I can work on my game, lock in on that” 👀pic.twitter.com/WWDV9k1t0Y
— Wolves Lead (@TWolvesLead) June 26, 2025
The team has the second apron looming over them, which will prevent their flexibility with roster building. Most people expect Reid and Randle to return, but retaining Alexander-Walker might be tougher, as he rightfully deserves a larger contract than before.
Reid and Randle will likely get big-time extensions, but that is to be expected. That was why Connelly and the Timberwolves front office have been conservative outside of drafting and the failed pursuit of Kevin Durant.
“What’s exciting is when you have a good team and the guys want to be back here so we’ll see. We have some limitations financially,” Connelly said after the 2025 Draft. “We want to be sure to avoid that second apron, but we’re really excited about the direction of our team and that the guys that are free all want to come back.”
The Timberwolves Will Want To Keep Up With The Thunder
After losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves are prepared to keep up. It will be challenging because the Thunder are built to last, but Connelly is ready to keep fighting.
The Timberwolves currently have 11 players ages 25 or younger:
Naz Reid (25)
Jaden McDaniels (24)
Terrence Shannon Jr. (24)
Anthony Edwards (23)
Jaylen Clark (23)
Josh Minott (22)
Matteo Spagnolo (22)
Leonard Miller (21)
Rob Dillingham (20)
Joan Beringer (18)
Rocco Zikarsky (18)— Kyle Theige (@KyleTheige) June 27, 2025
That will require some ambitious moves in the offseason. That might mean parting ways with some of the important players, but Randle and Reid will probably return. Alexander-Walker is likely on his way out, but he has expressed a desire to stay depending on his contract.
Surrounding Edwards with good talent is the goal, and it will be up to Connelly to learn where they can get that. Opportunities are there in the market, but the Timberwolves would love to pounce on a high-level point guard and more depth in every position.
Related: Alexander-Walker Wants Timberwolves To Focus On The Games
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.