Should the Minnesota Timberwolves try to land Kawhi Leonard?
The Minnesota Timberwolves could look to make a big splash in the offseason as they reshape the team in hopes of competing with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.
For the past three seasons, the Timberwolves have shown that they can compete with any team in the West when the playoffs start, but they can't quite get over the hump.
They lost in the Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025 before falling to the Spurs in the second round in 2026. Making back-to-back Western Conference Finals and losing to a 60-win team shows that the team is right there, but might need a little something more if they want to make their first NBA Finals appearance.
Enter Kawhi Leonard?
Minnesota is expected to considered its options in the offseason as they potentially retool the roster in hopes of getting over the hump.
Anthony Edwards will be 25 by the time next season starts and still growing as a player as he enters his prime years.
Jaden McDaniels has established himself as a strong two-way player who continues to improve, and Naz Reid is one of the best sixth men in the league. The consensus is that those three will be back.
Julius Randle had another disappointing playoff series and Rudy Gobert's weaknesses were present once again against the Spurs, leading to talks of both men potentially being on the block.
According to Law Murray on the Third Apron podcast, the Clippers would likely prioritize good players over draft capital in a Kawhi Leonard trade with a package from Minnesota involving Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, the 28th pick, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick seen as a potentially optimal package.
A Good Move For The Timberwolves?
First off, the Timberwolves would have to get more in return to make the money work. Adding Derrick Jones Jr from the Clippers side would make this a legal trade, and boost the value for Minnesota.
The deal leaves the Timberwolves thin in the front court, but sheds nearly $10 million in salary that could be used to plug that hole. Brook Lopez, who has a club option, could also factor into the deal.
If the Timberwolves can get more than just Kawhi back, and they would need to for the sake of the salary cap and trade rules, this deal changes the make up of the team and gives them a stronger second option behind Edwards.
