When the Minnesota Timberwolves were blown out in Game 6 of their Western Conference Semifinals series against the San Antonio Spurs to end their season, one thing was abundantly clear: the team needs to get better.
It was the third straight season in which the Wolves got demolished in their final game of the season. In 2024, it was the Dallas Mavericks, and last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder demolished the Minnesota Timberwolves en route to the championship, both in the Western Conference Finals.
This time, against the Spurs, the end of the season came a round earlier, and against a seven-foot-six Frenchman who seems primed to dominate the league, with a cast of 26-and-under players who are all years away from their primes.
Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly spoke to the media Tuesday to put a bow on the Timberwolves’ 2025-26 season and discuss where the franchise is heading moving forward.
“Our goal to start the season was to be a home playoff team. We weren’t,” Connelly said. “Our goal was to get further than we did last year. We didn’t. So those things kind of demand action, and we’ll see how those things take shape. We want to win more than we won this year.”
Connelly made it clear that the Timberwolves need to get better, saying, “We finished sixth in the West again, and it didn’t end the way we wanted, so I think everything is on the table.” Connelly continued, “We have to be realistic about what we have, which is way more good than bad, but know that we’re not good enough right now.”
With the last two teams to eliminate the Timberwolves, the Spurs and Thunder, currently battling it out in this year’s West Finals, the goal is clear. Minnesota needs to make moves to improve the roster, or else be destined to be taken out by one of the same two teams every year.
“I think the equation changes when you see the two teams playing in the Western Conference [Finals] right now,” Connelly explained. “We got smacked by Oklahoma City last year, we got smacked by San Antonio…We know our competition is not gonna sit still, and nor will we.”
While the Spurs and Thunder are certainly the measuring stick in terms of quality, the Timberwolves president pushed back on the idea that the Wolves need to build their team with the sole focus of taking down one or both of those teams.
“I think it’s dangerous because if they were specific solely to the San Antonio matchup, you take your ball and go home a little bit right now,” Connelly stated. “We’re not going to sit here for the next two months and solely focus on our ability to match up with the Spurs.”
“I think on the most simplistic level, if you have enough good players, and we have a great, great one in Anthony, you’re going to be a good team. So I don’t think you want to lose sight of that.”
Connelly has made his opinion clear; it is more important to stack as much talent as possible than to chase certain players that might have an advantage in a certain matchup. In Connelly’s eyes, it makes more sense to acquire the best players possible and retrofit the team’s identity around who is on the roster.
The Timberwolves President didn’t get into specifics about how he would improve the roster or what players may be a target for the team this offseason, but did give an insight into his philosophy around putting together a championship team.
“The risk is all self-induced pressure,” Connelly said. “I’d rather get fired for trying than just sit here and be in job survival mode.” He continued, “We’re not going to have a blind appetite for risk just because. But until you win it all, I think you’ve got to just keep playing hands.”
Two years ago, on the night of the NBA Draft, the Timberwolves took a risk and traded their 2031 first-round pick unprotected, along with a first-round pick swap in 2030, for the draft rights to Rob Dillingham. That risk did not pay off, as at the recent trade deadline, the Wolves traded Dillingham to the Chicago Bulls for Ayo Dosunmu.
Dosunmu has shined in his brief stint in Minnesota, including a 43-point performance in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets after both Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards went down with injuries.
With Dosunmu’s contract expiring this offseason, Connelly made it clear that retaining Dosunmu was one of his priorities heading into the summer, stating, “Ayo’s our most important free agent.” Connelly finished his answer about Dosunmu, saying, “We’re pretty optimistic that we’ll get something done there. He’s everything we thought and more.”
The other piece of the organization that Connelly is intent on keeping is Head Coach Chris Finch. While many fans online may want a new look in that position, Connelly and the Timberwolves organization have total confidence in Finch.
“I think Finch is great. I think we have a fantastic coaching staff.” Connelly said. “It’s not an easy job. He was masterful, I think, in the Denver series. We’re not here without Finchy. The playoff success we’ve had. I’m just thankful that he’s a partner and thankful that he’s our head coach.”
It is unclear exactly which direction the Timberwolves will take. Will they trade one or both of Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, who have been key players during their time in Minnesota? Will they be able to make a big swing for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, which would be sure to make waves both in Minnesota and across the NBA?
What is clear is that Connelly and the Timberwolves know they cannot just stand pat. They have to improve the team and cannot let continuity further devolve into complacency. While Minnesota is expereinceing it’s golden age in the franchise’s history, one thing was made apparent by Connelly at Tuesday’s press conference at the Wolves’ practice facility: the team needs to get better.
“We’ve had success the last couple years, and we have to take that next step.”
