Examining Wolves’ Salary Cap, Decisions for 2024 NBA Free Agency After Mavs Loss
Examining Wolves’ Salary Cap, Decisions for 2024 NBA Free Agency After Mavs Loss0 of 3
Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony EdwardsDavid Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images
What became such a promising postseason for the Minnesota Timberwolves has ended in a disappointing defeat.
After sweeping the Phoenix Suns and bouncing the Denver Nuggets, the Wolves fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. The bright side is the franchise advanced in the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, but a bitter feeling will linger into the offseason.
It’ll be a fascinating summer for the organization, too.
Minnesota only has a few notable free agents, but high-priced extensions kick in for Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. Can the Wolves afford to keep all threeāand Rudy Gobertāor is a blockbuster trade on the horizon?
Salary Cap1 of 3
Kyle AndersonStephen Maturen/Getty Images
Having the core of a competitive roster locked into contracts for the next season is objectively a good thing.
Also, it can be very expensive.
While that’s not a surprising reality for Minnesota, it will be a new situation. The franchise had a modest $166.3 million cap sheet this season but already is responsible for $186.3 million in 2024-25.
Subsequently, the Wolves are entirely expected to jump above the projected $190 million second apronābarring a massive trade, something I’ll cover shortly. As of now, they’ll be very limited in free agency and able to offer minimum contracts only.
Because of how close Minnesota currently is to that second apron, it likely won’t have enough space for the $5.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception (TMLE), either.
Top Contract Decisions2 of 3
Monte MorrisAAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post
Hypothetical trades provide the most intrigue, and a blockbuster could, in theory, chronologically occur before free agency.
We know, though, the Wolves have three unrestricted free agents: Kyle Anderson, Monte Morris and Jordan McLaughlin. All of them may leaveāespecially given the reduced roles for each in the playoffsābut Minnesota should at least consider re-signing Anderson despite his down season.
Josh Minott, a seldom-used reserve, has a fully non-guaranteed contract yet is only 21 years old. He should be back.
And now, the bigger story.
Minnesota needs to decide if Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert will be around to complement Edwards’ rising star, along with Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid. In particular, KAT is the nearing the start of a four-year, $224 million extension that has already generated some trade predictions among NBA executives.
In all likelihood, no topic will create more discussion around the Wolves throughout the offseason.
Free Agents to Pursue3 of 3
Naji MarshallCooper Neill/Getty Images
Projecting which players may sign for a minimum salary is always a trick.
If that’s simply the market for a particular free agent, he’s likely not much of an expected contributor. On the other hand, we rarely know if a veteranāwhether that’s a 28-year-old backup or a well-paid 35-year-old deciding to chase a ringāwill entertain a low salary.
As a result, these potential targets can basically be dart throws. Still, they’re at least educated guesses.
Should the Wolves need to replace Anderson, they may prioritize a more dangerous shooter on the wing. Gary Harris is a sensible choice, while Joe Ingles and Luke Kennard have team options worth monitoring. Naji Marshall isn’t as strong a shooter but is a plus defender.
If both Anderson and Morris are gone, adding a secondary playmaker would be wise. Perhaps the Wolves could convince Kyle Lowry to chase a ring or Spencer Dinwiddie to fill an impactful bench role.
