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Not satisfied yet? I have been to the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years, and the three main players are afraid of leaving the team, but I still want to Saha Durant!

9:02pm, 1 June 2025Basketball

Despite losing to the Thunder, the Timberwolves are still only a short distance from the finals, but for the Timberwolves, which is in the cold Minnesota and is not a big ball market, reaching the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years is definitely another peak period in team history. However, a news broke recently, which was extremely touching and surprising, that is, the Timberwolves are expected to promote Kevin Durant's trade this offseason, and this is the case that the team's three main players may leave the team, so they still want to Saha Durant. You know, it is already a very risky thing to trade Julius Randle and Dont Divincenzo with Carl Anthony Towns this year. Fortunately, Randle played an All-Star performance, so this deal did not turn it into a loss. But if you really want to compete for Durant this time, you may bet on the team's future. Let’s take a look at the problem of the potential collapse of the Timberwolves this summer!

1. To get Durant, Randall will most likely leave.

First of all, the most difficult problem the team faces, that is, Randall, who performed well this season, is likely to choose to leave. Although in the regular season, Randall's average data was reduced to 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists due to tactical adjustments and previous injuries, the average game was reduced to 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists, but fortunately in the playoffs, he soon reappeared his outstanding state during the Knicks. Average of 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, which is his performance in all 15 playoffs, and his overall efficiency is close to that of the 180 clubs. The offensive end has shared a lot of pressure from Anthony Edwards, especially in the first two rounds of the series. In 10 games, he only scored less than 20 points in 2 games, which shows how critical his role is. However, if they want to get Kevin Durant, they must give a star who matches Durant. Rudy Gobert's performance has declined more and more in recent years, which is basically difficult to impress the Suns, while Edwards is not a seller. After thinking about it, Randall is the most suitable one. But there is another problem with Randall's summer with a player option, unless he is willing to go to the Suns and the Suns are interested in him, he can go directly to the free market and sign new contracts with other teams, leaving no value for possession for the Timberwolves. Therefore, the team needs to carefully consider Randall's contract renewal.

2.Reed may stay in the team, but the contract will be improved.

And then there is Naz Reed. This season, the team can still ensure the stability of the record after Towns leaves. In addition to Randall's contribution, Reed also plays an important role in it. As the sixth man of the best last season, Reed continued his outstanding performance last season, with averaging 14.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 assists, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37.9%, and hit 175 three-pointers, which is impressive in terms of efficiency and output. In the playoffs, although his data declined, he also had 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists, and his shooting and three-point shooting percentages remained at 50.9% and 39.7% respectively. The Timberwolves were able to defeat the Lakers and Warriors respectively. Reed, as the core of the offensive attack in the second team, definitely played an important role. This summer, Reed has the player option in hand, and his salary next season is only $15.02 million. Therefore, with his outstanding performance this season, the 25-year-old is likely to break out of the contract and seek a contract with a higher salary level. However, unlike Randall, Reed has feelings for the Timberwolves. This is his sixth season in Minnesota, and his popularity is no less than Edwards. In addition, he is very suitable for the team's system, so he is very likely to stay in the team, but in order to keep him, the team must pay enough salary, which will be a big blow to the team's salary space. There will also be problems with whether to make signings in the future.

3. The surprises in the playoffs may be difficult to renew the team's contract.

Although the whole team performed well in the first two rounds of the series, it has to be said that in this year's Western Conference Finals, the players, including Edwards, played unsatisfactory. And if you have to pick out a few satisfactory stars, then Alexander Walker should still be worthy of the list. In the five games in the Western Conference Finals, he averaged 12 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, and his three-point shooting percentage reached 41.4%. Except for the last game, the whole team lost confidence and he did not score a single point, he was the absolute team surprise in the other four games. In addition, in this year's regular season, he played 82 games and also had 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists, which is the most reassuring position in the second team besides Reed. However, as the contract is about to expire this summer, news has been heard from the US media recently that the team will not leave Walker, but will promote Terrence Shannon Jr. to become a replacement for Walker. Although Shannon has performed well this year, it may be difficult to completely replace Walker. Therefore, if the contract for Walker is really not renewed, it will have a significant impact on the team's rotation tactical arrangement next season.

4.Soha Durant may cause the system to collapse.

Finally, let's talk about the team's hope to get Durant. According to ESPN's famous reporter Brian Windhorst, the Timberwolves were very eager to get Durant as early as this year's trading deadline, and they will still strive to win over the legendary superstar this summer. However, Durant will be 37 years old in the second half of the year. Although his condition is very good, he still has 26.6 points, 6 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season. He can also use personal singles to solve the problem many times in the game, but no matter how he maintains his condition, it cannot stop Durant's decline. Durant's most intuitive performance in the game is that it is difficult for him to completely dominate the entire game.. And don't forget that the Timberwolves were able to break through the Lakers and Warriors this season, not entirely due to their strength. The Lakers' inside line is too weak, and the Warriors lost Curry, which made them so easily advance to the Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves' tactical system is actually relatively single, with few pleasing team cooperation, most of which are ordinary pick-and-roll and empty cuts. Once Durant arrives, it is very likely that the Suns will be in a situation, that is, Durant, Edwards and others will take turns to play singles, and the team's record will probably fluctuate greatly by then. Therefore, whether to trade Durant requires careful consideration by the team's management.

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