RealGM Basketball Wiretap

07 June 2025

• Knicks Interested In Chris Finch

  Chris Finch is a candidate of interest for the New York Knicks' head coaching vacancy. Gersson Rosas, who now works for the Knicks, hired Finch as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2021. The Knicks presumably would have to send some sort of compensation to the Wolves to let Finch out of his contract.

  Finch signed a four-year extension with the Wolves in June 2024 following their appearance in the Western Conference Finals. Karl-Anthony Towns played for Finch during their time together with the Wolves.

  New York is searching for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau despite their appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.

• Wolves Open To Roster Shakeup Despite Continuity Preference

  Tim Connelly expressed willingness for the Minnesota Timberwolves to make significant roster changes while emphasizing his preference for team continuity. The executive detailed the organization's approach to navigating luxury tax restrictions and potential moves ahead.

  Connelly has had a shift in philosophy since joining Minnesota compared to his tenure with the Denver Nuggets. His Nuggets' teams emphasized draft-based development around core players like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The Timberwolves have pursued blockbuster trades including deals for Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle.

  "Given my druthers, I'm always kind of airing on the side of continuity," Connelly said. "Patience in professional sports is largely nonexistent. Those organizations that can show patience tend to have a really high level of success. But patience shouldn't lead to risk aversion."

  The franchise remains prepared to maintain its current core if major moves prove too costly. Connelly emphasized Minnesota won't execute trades simply for change's sake. The trade of Karl-Anthony Towns only materialized when New York made Donte DiVincenzo available.

  "There's something that if we have to shake it up and make us a better team, we're certainly open to that... It took us a while to get acclimated [after the Towns trade] and we look forward to returning the core next year and hopefully go a bit further," Connelly said.

  The Wolves have been linked with a trade for Kevin Durant at the deadline, something that could be possibly revisited this offseason as remains on the block.

  Minnesota operated above the second apron luxury tax threshold this season. The designation created significant roster-building restrictions including trade aggregation limitations and frozen draft pick usage.

  "You can dip your toe in, but you don't want to be there too consistently because it just gets so punitive," Connelly explained. "It's not just super expensive."

  The organization aims to retain key free agents Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker despite financial constraints. Connelly expressed optimism about re-signing targets given their contentment with the franchise.

  "What's neat is the players are all very happy here," Connelly said. "They love the coaching staff, they love the teammates, they love the community."

• Tim Connelly Expects To Remain With Wolves Long-Term

  Tim Connelly expects to remain as president of basketball operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves for the long-term now that Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez will take over as controlling owners in the upcoming weeks. Connelly moved an opt out in his contract from the 2024 offseason to this one as Lore and Rodriguez battled for control with Glen Taylor.

  "Super happy here," Connelly said. "It's been great, not just as working with the team, but this whole community really feels like home. I think you guys are stuck with me."

  The Wolves hired Connelly away from the Denver Nuggets during the 2022 offseason, shortly before the team traded for Rudy Gobert. Minnesota has reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons.

  Connelly was hired by the Nuggets to replace Masai Ujiri in 2013 after serving as assistant general manager of the then-New Orleans Hornets.

• Timberwolves Contacted Eastern Conference Team To Help Facilitate Potential Kevin Durant Trade

  The Minnesota Timberwolves contacted at least one Eastern Conference team about helping to facilitate a deal between them and the Phoenix Suns involving Kevin Durant, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  It was reported earlier this week that the Wolves' interest in trading for Durant at the deadline was more serious than previously assumed.

  It remains uncertain whether the Wolves would revisit a Durant trade this summer, though discussions may not happen until Giannis Antetokounmpo's situation is resolved.

  Nickeil Alexander-Walker is set to be an unrestricted free agent and could draw interest from the Magic.

  Naz Reid and Julius Randle both hold player options, with Reid expected to decline his and become a free agent.

  With Tim Connelly expected to discuss a new deal, the team is expected to remain aggressive in building around Anthony Edwards.

• Naz Reid Expected To Decline $15M Player Option

  Naz Reid is expected to decline his player option worth $15 million and become a free agent, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  Reid averaged 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds this season.

  Wolves' teammate Julius Randle also has a player option heading into the summer, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be a free agent.

  The Wolves plan to be aggressive in upgrading its roster over this offseason.

  The team was previously linked with a move for Kevin Durant at the deadline.

• Magic Potentially Interested In Nickeil Alexander-Walker

  Nickeil Alexander-Walker is expected to generate the most external interest among Minnesota Timberwolves players who could hit free agency this summer, a group that includes Julius Randle and Naz Reid.

  Alexander-Walker is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

  The Magic have registered interest in adding Alexander-Walker, according to Marc Stein.

  The Wolves are looking to keep its roster largely the same for next season.

• Wolves' New Owners Will Attempt To Build New Arena

  Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez will be formally approved by the NBA as the new owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves in June. Sources tell The Athletic that they will be much more aggressive in their investment on the business side of the team and will formulate plans for a new arena. The partners want to keep the Wolves in Minnesota as the team is booming in popularity locally after two straight trips to the Western Conference Finals.

  Target Center, which opened in 1990, is the NBA's second oldest arena after Madison Square Garden. The arena underwent a $145 million renovation in 2017.

  Lore and Rodriguez were scheduled to take over the Wolves last year, but Glen Taylor attempted to back out of the sale over late payments. An arbitrator eventually ruled in favor of Lore and Rodriguez.

• Wolves Plan To Be 'Aggressive' In Upgrading Roster; Tim Connelly To Discuss New Deal

  The Minnesota Timberwolves' roster is expected to remain largely the same for next season, sources told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

  The Wolves also plan on remaining "aggressive" in constructing its roster around Anthony Edwards.

  Tim Connelly is also expected to discuss a new contract with the team. Connelly activated an option on his deal last summer to see how the Timberwolves' ownership situation would play out.

  Multiple teams are monitoring his contract situation, though the Wolves are optimistic that a deal will get done.

  The NBA is expected to hold a final vote to approve Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez as the new majority owners of the team sometime in June.

• Game 5 Least-Watched Non-COVID Western Conference Finals Since 2013

  Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged just 4.62 million viewers on ESPN on Wednesday, making it the least-watched non-COVID season Western Conference Finals game since 2013.

  Oklahoma City's blowout win was also the least-watched WCF Game 5 since Utah Jazz-Spurs in 2007 (3.94M), falling even below that Lakers-Nuggets series in the 2020 "bubble" (4.99M).

  Viewership was down 26 percent compared to Game 5 last season when the Dallas Mavericks closed out the Wolves. The full, five-game Thunder-Timberwolves series averaged 5.59 million, which down 17 percent from last year's series between the Mavericks and Wolves.

  The Thunder have one of the NBA's smallest media markets, but their West Finals appearances with a core of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are amongst the most watched in recent history.

• Wolves Were More Serious About Trading For Kevin Durant At Trade Deadline Than Assumed

  The Minnesota Timberwolves had stronger interest in acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns at the trade deadline than previously assumed. The cap machinations required to consummate a trade were extremely challenging as two second apron teams, but the impending free agencies of Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker could change the equation.

  "It became clear to me in talking to the parties involved just how serious the Wolves were about trying to trade for Kevin Durant at the trade deadline," said Brian Windhorst on Friday's Hoop Collective Podcast.

  "At the time, the Wolves were not playing their best basketball. They subsequently finished the season, I think, 18-5 and got to the Western Conference Finals. So I don't want to make it implied that their mindset is still where it was in February."

  "Also, it would have been an extraordinary series of deals to be able to [make the trade]," interjected Tim MacMahon.

  "Which is why they didn't do it. But the point is this wasn't just we're not doing anything on trade deadline day. They made some sort of progress. Getting it done was impossible. They were two second apron teams. But after these guys opt out, they won't be a second apron team.

  "I'm not arguing that Durant is going to end up in Minnesota... If you look at Tim Connelly, he made the big [Rudy] Gobert trade. He made the big trade of KAT for Julius Randle and DiVincenzo."

  The Wolves certainly hope to keep some combination of Randle, Reid and Alexander-Walker could be retained, but there is also a path of revisiting a trade for Durant this offseason.