The Minnesota Timberwolves are navigating an offseason filled with uncertainty. By the start of the 2024-25 season, they are unsure who the majority owner will be or if Tim Connelly will continue as their president of basketball operations.
However, the primary focus this summer is the roster, not the executives. A key decision is whether to retain Karl-Anthony Towns or explore trade options to progress without the 7-foot star.
Darren “Doogie” Wolfson from KSTP discussed the possibility of trading Towns for Kevin Durant with former NBA GM and current ESPN roster/cap expert Bobby Marks. Wolfson proposed a trade with Phoenix involving Towns for Durant, a scenario also considered by MSF. Yet, Marks quickly dismissed it, explaining the complications due to the NBA’s trade rules for teams over the luxury tax threshold.
Marks pointed out that teams in the “apron” cannot trade with other apron teams unless the salaries match exactly. For instance, Towns’ $49.3 million salary and Durant’s $51 million salary cannot be traded directly since Minnesota would be taking back more money, which is not allowed. Apron teams cannot combine player salaries in trades either, making such deals nearly impossible.
Marks highlighted that ten teams, including the Timberwolves, are projected to be over the luxury tax threshold for the 2024-25 season, imposing strict trade restrictions. The teams projected to be in the luxury tax zone include the Suns, Celtics, Nuggets, Bucks, Heat, Lakers, Grizzlies, Mavericks, and Warriors. The luxury tax threshold is projected to be $171.3 million.
Another suggested trade involving Towns for Trey Young was also dismissed by Marks, as Atlanta is expected to be an apron team next season. However, Spotrac’s projections do not list the Hawks as an apron team.
Marks mentioned the Oklahoma City Thunder as a potential trade partner for Minnesota, possibly involving Lou Dort if they were interested in acquiring Towns.
The NBA imposes these rules to discourage teams from repeatedly exceeding the luxury tax threshold. Continued violations result in hefty fines and increasingly severe penalties, making sustained overspending unsustainable.
Due to these constraints and other factors, Marks and others believe the Minnesota Timberwolves are likely to retain their core roster for the next season, as their options are limited.
