After back-to-back Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost in the second round to the San Antonio Spurs in 2026. 

The Timberwolves brought back to the fore pieces from the 2025 team, including Anthony Edwards, Naz Reid, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo, and Rudy Gobert. 

They lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Atlanta Hawks, but did well to replace him at the trade deadline by acquiring Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls. 

The Timberwolves finished sixth in the West, and managed to upset the Denver Nuggets in six games in the first round. The second round against the Spurs was more of a struggle as they lost in six games, with three games not being competitive. 

Timberwolves executive Tim Connelly spoke about the roster potentially looking different going into next season. 

“I mean, it depends. Obviously the season we had last year was more successful than this season. We’re not content with where we are. The draft is going to be upon us pretty quickly, and then free agency, but our goal is each year to get better. This year we had a lot of really good moments. We had another playoff series victory, but we finished sixth in the West again and it didn’t end the way we wanted, so I think everything’s on the table," he said.

After winning 56 games in 2023-24 and finishing third in the West, Minnesota has won 49 in each of the past two seasons, finishing sixth in the West both seasons. 

Despite not having home court in the first round of either series, they managed to pull off the upset, showing that the team can rise to the occasion when needed, though sustainability to do has come into question given the inconsistent regular seasons and how far away they felt from the Spurs. 

Edwards, Gobert, Randle, McDaniels, Reid, and DiVincenzo are all under contract coming into this upcoming season. 

DiVincenzo is expected to miss the majority of the season after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs. With the contracts of those six players, the team doesn't have a ton of flexibility in terms of free agent signings.

They have the 28th pick in the upcoming draft, which could be used to either acquire a player who can help this upcoming season or replinish their prospect pool. 

Joan Beringer is being counted on to take a leap next year after playing 40 games this past season. 

Otherwise, any upgrades would have to come at the cost of the core over the past two seasons. 

Minnesota was linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, and are expected to circle back in the offseason.