This was a historic season for the Minnesota Timberwolves. After winning at least 56 games for just the second time in team history, Anthony Edwards led them on a journey to their second-ever appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
At some point, all good things come to an end, and the Timberwolves ran into problems with the Dallas Mavericks, who took Minnesota out in five games to advance to the 2024 NBA Finals. Now, the Timberwolves embark on an offseason full of question marks regarding what their roster will look like heading into the 2024-25 season. One of these big questions revolves around Kyle Anderson and his future with the franchise.
Anderson has been in Minnesota each of the last two seasons, proving to be a terrific two-way player who helps provide stability coming off the bench. While they would more than likely want to keep him this offseason, the Timberwolves are going to need to make some tough financial decisions that could involve letting Anderson walk in free agency.
At his end-of-season press conference on Friday, Anderson spoke about his time with the Timberwolves and what is to come as he becomes a free agent.
“I haven’t had conversations [about] what team I’ll be with next season,” Anderson responded when asked about if he has given thought to what the future holds for him. “I kind of want to give all of my focus and energy towards the season right now and the Minnesota Timberwolves. It will definitely affect the way I work on my game this summer.”
Anderson also made it a point to say that he obviously wants to be back with the Timberwolves next season, but that he truly doesn’t know where he will be.
Timberwolves financial situation with Kyle Anderson
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (1) brings the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Delta Center.
Every team in the NBA is going to be paying close attention to their financial situations due to the heavy restrictions that come into play with crossing the first and second tax aprons. Even though the league’s salary cap is set to increase exponentially over the next few seasons, plenty of movement is expected this offseason. For the Timberwolves, their first order of business will begin in free agency with Anderson.
As he gets ready to become an unrestricted free agent, Anderson could be pursued by several teams around the league, given his two-way presence on the wing. Then again, his limitations as a three-point shooting threat and his slower pace of play may not make him an as attractive name on the open market as his talent would suggest.
Next season, the Timberwolves are set to pay Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert about $135 million combined. Add Jaden McDaniels’ contract to the equation, and the Timberwolves already exceed $150 million in total payroll between the four players. This essentially means that Minnesota will be forced to fill out the rest of their roster with minimum contract-like players since Naz Reid and Mike Conley combine for over $20 million in salary as well.
As things currently stand, the Timberwolves are projected to be over the second tax apron for the 2024-25 season.
This is the main reason why Anderson returning to Minnesota is not a forgone conclusion. If the team can make the money work, they would entertain the idea of retaining the 30-year-old forward. At the same time, the Timberwolves do have younger wings such as Wendell Moore Jr., Josh Minott, and Leonard Miller, who will all be put under the microscope during the offseason for the chance to possibly see their roles increase.
Despite making the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves are going to have to closely examine their financial situation, something that could lead to Anderson’s imminent departure.
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