The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to retain their status as a viable contender in 2025-26.
After reaching the Western Conference Finals in successive years, the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to go one better.
But this will be tricky, with teams around them loading up. The Conferences feel unbalanced in the NBA, with the competition in the West growing in intensity.
It won’t disturb Minnesota if they are written off. Reaching the Conference Finals came as a surprise in both seasons, with the Timberwolves upsetting the odds.
Ahead of 2025-26 they have had a low-key summer, and their most important additions will come from player development.
The Timberwolves have not made any big money moves in the offseason, losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Atlanta Hawks.
Despite this their squad is deep, and the exciting addition of first round draft pick Joan Beringer is already offering hope for the future.
The most important changes for the Timberwolves could come in the form of improvement from Leonard Miller and Terrence Shannon Jr.
Miller, 21, has been with the Timberwolves since 2023, progressing through the system, while Terrence Shannon Jr, 24, was a late first round draft pick in 2024.
Both players have caught the eye, with HoopsHype naming the duo among the top 20 standout players at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Leonard Miller played in only 13 regular season games for the Timberwolves last season, but did feature in three playoff games, where he averaged 4.3 points in an average of 4.3 minutes.
Miller is young and has potential to back up Julius Randle. Speaking at Summer League, he made clear he is aware of exactly how he needs to showcase his game in order to win over Chris Finch.
He told Andrew Dukowitz: “My defense, and so far this Summer League, I’ve showcased my versatility there. Being able to guard different types of players, and I’m really happy with how far my defense has come.”
Shannon Jr played 32 games for the Timberwolves last season including one start. He additionally managed to play in nine playoff games, averaging 6.3 minutes and 4.3 points.
He averaged 48.5 percent shooting from the field in 2024-25, and just recently, was named to the NBA’s All-Summer League team.
Shannon Jr posted an average of 22.7 points per game at Summer League, and this will give him huge confidence for the upcoming season.
With an expanded role in 2025-26, Shannon Jr can make the Timberwolves more dynamic and take some scoring pressure off Anthony Edwards.
