Despite being the most aggressive team in the lead-up to the Kevin Durant trade, the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled out of making the deal. Durant did not want to play in Minnesota, so it was fair to stay away from making an offer.
The two-time Finals MVP ended up with the Houston Rockets, as they sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. It was a good package, especially for a team without much leverage.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) guards Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half at Footprint Center.
Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Timberwolves were ready to send a lot of assets to get him, except for Jaden McDaniels. Most teams around the league realized that Phoenix was being too ambitious with the packages they wanted, but Durant's preference also mattered.
Since he wanted to play for either the Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, or Miami Heat, the Timberwolves had no chance. They should be commended for considering the trade, but now, they must explore the market and find the right solutions rather than swinging for the big names.
The Timberwolves Tried To Get Durant To Team Up With Edwards
The primary reason behind the Timberwolves' pursuit of Durant teaming with Anthony Edwards. Having a partnership like that would have been arguably the best duo in the league.
With Durant's elite scoring paired with Edwards' well-rounded skill set, they could have competed for the championship, possibly beating the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Unfortunately, that is not happening, as Edwards will still have to deal with the now-champion OKC Thunder on his own. Of course, the Timberwolves do not want that to happen because the front office will surely be looking at the market and finding the right players to play with him.
According to Marc Stein, the contract extension was the sticking point, which led to Durant's preference for the other three teams and snubbing the Timberwolves.
"Durant is entering the final year of his current contract at $54.7 million and made it known to teams pursuing him that he was only willing to sign a contract extension if traded to Houston, Miami or San Antonio," Stein reported on The Stein Line.
The Timberwolves Have A Busy Offseason Coming Up
After the dust has settled on the Durant trade, the Timberwolves are now looking for more options in the market. They want to improve the team and get past the Western Conference Finals.
They reached that stage of the Playoffs two years in a row, so they want to exceed that and compete for a championship. It is challenging to do so, especially with the Thunder looking to establish themselves as a dynasty.
Minnesota can make many improvements, including the point guard position. They have an aging Mike Conley Jr., who is a fantastic player, but he is not the best fit.
More depth could also help, especially if they cannot retain Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the offseason. Tim Connelly has some work to do, and it will be quite challenging to succeed in the super-competitive Western Conference.