Ranking Timberwolves' Top Trade Targets After 2025 NBA Playoff Loss
Prior to the 2023-24 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves had made a single appearance in the Western Conference finals during their entire existence.
They just made their second trip in as many years, although this one ended the same as the others: in defeat.
Last year's loss in the penultimate round was followed by an aggressive move to get No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham and then the early October deal that brought in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo at the expense of Karl-Anthony Towns. Could more dramatics be in the cards in Minnesota?
For now, it looks like this summer could be defined more by talent retention or subtraction than any notable addition. The asset collection is light, and the financial burden is heavy, particularly with free agency potentially awaiting three rotation regulars: Randle (player option), Naz Reid (player option) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (unrestricted).
Still, if the Wolves go searching for upgrades or simply have holes to fill, the following three players project to be at or near the top of their trade-target list.
3. Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
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While point guard feels Minnesota's most pressing needโpending how free agency plays out, of courseโthere isn't an obvious, clear-cut target on the trade market. Most teams with good point guards want to keep them, and it's unclear how much the Wolves would be willing to spend on the position given that Mike Conley is still playable and they're already pretty heavily invested in Dillingham.
Might they be willing to roll the dice on Ball, though?
His availability issues are an enormous concern, but that should help keep his trade cost to a minimum. The Bulls simply can't expect much for a player who made 70 appearances over the last four seasons combined, especially when he just posted some of the worst shooting rates of his career (36.6 percent overall, 34.4 from three).
Still, his healthy version looks a lot like the kind of backcourt mate Minnesota would want alongside Anthony Edwards. Ball can keep the offense moving without dominating the basketball, and if his perimeter shooting bounces back (38.7 percent on notable volume between 2019-20 and 2021-22), he'd have a clear off-ball role as a spot-up shooter. Throw in adequate (or better) defense with some versatility on that end, and he'd have plenty to offerโif he could every stay upright.
2. Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic
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Minnesota's power rotation was one of basketball's best this season, but how much longer will that be the case? Free agency figures to impact both Reid and Randle, either by driving up their contract cost or potentially poaching them away. And if both are brought back, maybe the Wolves can't afford them plus the $35 million that will be owed to Rudy Gobert, per Spotrac.
That's all a long-winded way of saying that while Minnesota doesn't need a third big man right now, that could change rather soon.
If it does, the Wolves should see what it takes to lure Carter away from Orlando. He is a serviceable starter who would rank well above-average as a team's No. 3 big. He may not have a standout skill, but he's solid or better in just about everything. He just might not be as pricey as that description sounds, since the 2024-25 season was far from his best (9.1 points on 46/23.4/73.7 shooting in 25.9 minutes).
If his shot perks back up, he'd be a great pick-and-roll (or pop) partner with Edwards, since Carter is a slick passer out of the short roll. Much like Reid, Carter also has the requisite skills to toggle between the 4 and 5 spots, meaning he'd be a fit with virtually any frontcourt that coach Chris Finch rolled out.
1. Derrick White, Boston Celtics
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Admittedly, White appears as an extremely ambitious trade target for the Timberwolves. Having said that, they did make an aggressive push for Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, so they might be able to make a bigger splash in a summer trade than expected.
While it's tough to see the stars align on a megadeal for Durantโwho's not at all on Edwards' timelineโmaybe Minnesota could make something work for White. He won't be easily pried away from the Celtics, but he might not be impossible to get. Not when Boston needs to trim payroll and may not want to part with the assets potentially needed to unload Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porziลฤฃis.
If the Wolves could get their hands on White, they'd immediately scratch several itches. He could do all of things Alexander-Walkerโwho feels like their biggest flight risk in free agencyโprovides only at a higher, more consistent level. White is a legitimate two-way playmaker who also happens to be a high-level shooter and an ignitable scorer when he needs to be more assertive.
Maybe Minnesota's lack of long-term assets dooms a White pursuit, but then again, maybe that's not what Boston would seek out in a deal, considering the Celtics could plan on rejoining the contender ranks as soon as Jayson Tatum recovers from his torn Achilles. Again, this is an optimistic suggestion, but isn't that what the offseason is all about?
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