RealGM Basketball Wiretap

03 April 2025

• Wolves, Heat, Knicks, Spurs, Rockets Among Potential Trade Partners For Kevin Durant

  There are several teams who are expected have interest in a Kevin Durant trade this offseason as the Phoenix Suns will likely work together on his exit. The Suns have had a disappointing pair of seasons since adding Bradley Beal to their star core of Durant and Devin Booker.

  While the Golden State Warriors were among the most notable teams to pursue a trade for Durant at the deadline, there was a number of other teams with interest that might be more mutual in the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, reports Shams Charania.

  "Back at the NBA trade deadline in February, Minnesota, Miami, New York, San Antonio and Houston were among the team, I'm told, there was mutual interest between Durant and those teams," said Charania. "I expect those teams and potentially other to be back in the fray this summer."

  Durant will be eligible for a two-year, $120 million extension this coming offseason. Durant is on an expiring contract and will be have at least some modicum of control over the process.

• Glen Taylor Agrees To Finalize Sale Of Wolves To Lore-Rodriguez

  Glen Taylor has agreed to move forward with his sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx to the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez group at the same $1.5 billion price the side agreed upon in 2021. Taylor will not appeal an arbitrators' ruling from February that ruled in favor Lore-Rodriguez in a dispute over the sale contract.

  The NBA has initiated the transfer process and will conduct a board of governors vote.

  Lore and Rodriguez initially agreed to purchase the team from Taylor in 2021 in a three-part sale. The first two tranches, totaling 36% of the teams, changed hands for about $500 million as planned.

  Over the past six weeks, the Lore-Rodriguez group and Taylor held discussions and came to an agreement to finalize the deal.

  Taylor, 83, purchased the Wolves in 1994 for $94 million, saving the team from a possible relocation to New Orleans.

  The future of Tim Connelly was tied to a transfer of ownership with Lore's group expected to sign him to an extension once they take control.

• Isaiah Stewart Suspended Two Games; DiVincenzo, Holland, Reid, Sasser Get One-Game Bans

  The NBA has issued the following suspensions following Sunday's altercation between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons.

  The incident began when Ron Holland II committed a defensive foul on Naz Reid with 8:36 remaining in the second quarter of the Timberwolves' 123-104 victory over the Pistons on March 30 at Target Center. Following that foul, Reid pointed at and confronted Holland. Holland then pushed Donte DiVincenzo and in response, DiVincenzo escalated the incident by shoving Holland II in the chest. The two players along with Reid became entangled and fell into the spectator stands. Isaiah Stewart and Marcus Sasser then entered the altercation near the spectator stands and shoved DiVincenzo and Reid, which resulted in a continued escalation of the situation. For their roles, all five players were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.

  The length of Stewart's suspension is based in part on his repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts, announced the NBA.

  • Isaiah Stewart: 2 game suspension
  • Donte DiVincenzo: 1 game suspension
  • Ron Holland: 1 game suspension
  • Naz Reid: 1 game suspension
  • Marcus Sasser: 1 game suspension

• Seven Ejected After Pistons-Timberwolves Brawl

  During the Detroit Pistons-Minnesota Timberwolves game on Sunday, a fight broke out that spilled into the stands. The end result were seven ejections, including both players and coaches.

  With 8:36 remaining in the second quarter, Pistons rookie wing Ron Holland II was called for a foul on Timberwolves center Naz Reid. Reid didn't like the way he was fouled by Holland and appeared to say something to the rookie. Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo initially tried to get in between the two players, but ended up shoving Holland. That resulted in Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart II and Pistons guard Marcus Sasser getting involved.

  After the melee spilled into the seats along the baseline, Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Minnesota assistant coach Pablo Prigioni were also ejected for their actions during the altercation. Holland, Reid, DiVincenzo, Stewart, and Sasser, were all ejected from the game on the player side.

• Marc Lore Prioritizing Tim Connelly Extension Once He Takes Control Of Wolves

  Marc Lore has made it a priority to sign Tim Connelly to a contract extension once he assumes full control of the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. Lore and Alex Rodriguez have yet to gain control of the Wolves despite an arbitration ruling in their favor over Glen Taylor.

  Connelly agreed to an amendment in his contract last year that pushed his opt-out to this offseason. The Wolves signed Connelly away from the Denver Nuggets in May 2022 on a five-year, $40 million deal. Connelly quickly moved forward with a trade for Rudy Gobert in his first offseason with the team.

  If Connelly were to hit the open market, he would figure to receive considerable outside interest given his role in building the eventual champion Nuggets while also constructing a Wolves' roster that reached the Western Conference Finals.

  Gersson Rosas and then Sachin Gupta were the two previous lead decision-makers for the Wolves before Connelly's tenure.

• Anthony Edwards, Coby White Named NBA's Players Of Week 21

  Anthony Edwiards and Coby White have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 21.

  Edwards averaged 32.7 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 51.5% from the field. The Wolves went 3-0 last week.

  White averaged 27.7 points and 7.0 assists for the Bulls, who went 2-1 over the week.

• Timberwolves Unwilling To Include Jaden McDaniels In Kevin Durant Trade

  The Minnesota Timberwolves were not willing to include Jaden McDaniels in a potential deal for Kevin Durant before this year's trade deadline, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  The Wolves instead focused packages around Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

  The Wolves are expected to pursue a trade for Durant again this offseason.

  Naz Reid drew trade interest from the Suns, though the Wolves are looking to sign Reid to a long-term deal.

• Wolves Expected To Revisit Trade Pursuit Of Kevin Durant

  The Minnesota Timberwolves lacked a realistic path to acquire Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, but they still made a few calls to register interest and are expected to make another attempt this offseason.

  "Another small market team to watch: the Minnesota Timberwolves," said Brian Windhorst on Get Up. "Which Ant Edwards and KD have a very tight connection. Also from the Olympics. The Timberwolves tried to pull off a crazy trade at the deadline for KD. Look for them to revisit those talks this summer."

  The Wolves were serious enough about acquiring Durant at the trade deadline that they called third teams about potentially getting under the second apron to facilitate a trade. Minnesota would likely have to build a trade package around Julius Randle and some combination of younger players and future assets. The Wolves do not currently have any tradeable first round picks, but they could send out a number of swaps.

• Julius Randle To Return To Timberwolves Lineup On Sunday

  Julius Randle is set to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.

  Randle has missed the previous 13 games with a groin injury.

  Randle is averaging 18.9 points and 7.2 rebounds on the season.

• Anthony Edwards Fined $35k For Actions Following Thursday Ejection

  The NBA fined Anthony Edwards $35,000 for failing to leave the court in a timely manner and throwing the ball into the stands during Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

  Edwards, who was ejected after receiving two technical fouls, has 16 on the season.

  Edwards is suspended for Saturday's game against the Jazz due to the accumulation of technical fouls.