The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to bounce back from another underwhelming campaign. Here are three players who will likely not be back next season.
Last offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves made one of the splashiest moves, shipping four first-round picks, a 2026 pick swap, guard Patrick Beverley, guard Malik Beasley, guard Leandro Bolmaro, forward Jarred Vanderbilt, and center Walker Kessler to the Utah Jazz in exchange for three-time All-Star center Rudy Gobert.
The organization entered the season with high expectations for the potential big three of Gobert, center Karl-Anthony Towns, and guard Anthony Edwards.
Unfortunately, Towns missed the majority of the regular season, and they finished with the eighth seed in the Western Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they fell to the Denver Nuggets 1-4.
This offseason, the front office should look to reshuffle the supporting cast. Let's take a look at three players who will likely not be back next season.
Timberwolves who won't be back next season No. 3: C Nathan Knight
Nathan Knight has a team option worth $1.997 million.
Knight joined the team on a two-way contract in 2021. In 37 games, he averaged 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per game.
Following the season, he signed a two-year deal worth up to $3.83 million. In 2022-23, he put up similar numbers. In 38 games, he averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game.
Nevertheless, the Timberwolves did not give him consistent playing time, even with backup center Naz Reid sidelined. In the postseason, Knight only played a total of five minutes.
As the fourth center on the roster, behind Towns, Gobert, and Reid, Knight has no clear path to minutes. The front office could decline his option.
Timberwolves who won't be back next season No. 2: SF Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan tipped off the season with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 12 games, the 6'7″ wing shot 37.1 percent from 3. In November, he hit a game-tying 3 at the buzzer against the New Orleans Pelicans to send the game to overtime.
Unfortunately, Ryan struggled in other facets of the game. He converted only 14.3 percent of his two-point field goals, and he carried a negative defensive box plus/minus.
The Lakers waived him, and the Timberwolves signed him to a two-way deal.
In Minnesota, Ryan was slightly better in limited action. In 22 games, he shot 38.8 percent from 3, and he made six out of 10 two-point attempts.
Nevertheless, Ryan did not crack the Timberwolves' playoff rotation. Since February 10th, he has only logged six total minutes. Given those numbers, I do not expect the front office to re-sign him this summer.
Timberwolves who won't be back next season No. 1: SG Austin Rivers
Last offseason, the Timberwolves signed Rivers to a one-year, $2.9 million contract. In his lone year with the franchise, he was solid. In 52 games, he averaged 4.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from deep.
The Timberwolves will look to reshuffle their second unit this offseason. In 2022-23, their bench ranked 23rd in the NBA in total plus/minus (-368); six of the seven teams behind them failed to make the playoffs. In the postseason, their starters (Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Towns, Gobert) were their top-five leaders in net rating (minimum two games played).
It is evident that the Timberwolves need to add more difference-makers off the bench. They have plenty of big men (Towns, Gobert, Reid, Kyle Anderson). Meanwhile, they lack depth behind the 35-year-old Conley. Therefore, point guard will likely be a priority this summer.
Rivers is still a solid depth option. He is a capable shooter with plenty of playoff experience. Contending teams should show interest in him on the open market. Nevertheless, the Timberwolves need a more explosive third guard.