FOLLOWING another Western Conference Finals appearance, the Minnesota Timberwolves have continued to emerge as one of the biggest contenders in the NBA, and will head to the draft in a strong position overall.

The Timberwolves made shockwaves when they traded away star Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, following a breakout campaign last year when they fell just short of the NBA finals. However, they backed it up throughout the 2024/25 season, making the Western Conference Finals once again, after knocking off some of the most star-studded teams in the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.

Minnesota came up against the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, but ended up falling to the title favourites in five games, falling just short of the big dance for the second year in a row.

However, the Timberwolves will be able to add to their core when they head to the 2025 NBA Draft in Chicago, boasting two picks inside the top 31 selections, which is a strong hand in a deep draft class.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Draft Selections

17, 31

Contracted Players

Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle (player option), Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid (player option), Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., Luka Garza (team option), Josh Minott (team option), Leonard Miller (non-guaranteed), Jaylen Clark

The Timberwolves will look to maintain their proven core moving forward, and will look to see Randle and Reid opt into their contracts, although the latter seems less likely given he will be probably looking for a payrise.

Although the Timberwolves traded for Dillingham last year, the Timberwolves’ backcourt is probably the most glaring issue given the age of Conley. Finding some support for Edwards when it comes to shot creation is key, and there will certainly be options on the board.

Guard Kasparas Jakucionis could be an excellent option if not picked in the first 16 selections, filling a hole as a shot creator. He is relentless as a scorer, and skilled as a passer too, making him an excellent addition to the Timberwolves’ roster.

Although he is prone to making some sloppy turnovers, Jakucionis would share ball-handling duties with the likes of Edwards and Dillingham, which would suit his style of play more and allow him to focus on his own scoring.

Should Reid and/or Randle decline their player options and enter free agency, then adding a player to the backcourt with their first pick could be the move. Forward Danny Wolf may be an option that fits this critera, and could be a big man for the future in Minnesota.

Wolf is not only a strong inside scorer, but he can pass well for his size, and stretch the floor with his shooting with a tremendously balanced game, and these traits would be a hugely good fit next to Edwards.

With their second selection, wing Hugo Gonzalez may be a solid fit here, having impressed throughout his junior career. Although he had limited opportunities at a professional level with Real Madrid, he has a strong physical profile and could adapt into a defensive stopper, which would allow the team’s offensive stars to focus on that side of the ball.