Team
Latest Sporzzio coverage, playoff reads, and explainers about the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Explainer
Minnesota traded Josh Green to Utah because his $14.7 million salary prevented the Timberwolves from completing Jonathan Kuminga’s contract under their second-apron hard cap. The deal also brought back a development gamble in Cody Williams, but spreading John Konchar’s remaining salary over three years created the final financial room Minnesota needed.
Explainer
Jonathan Kuminga accepted less reported multiyear money from Minnesota because the short contract and player option give him a faster route back to free agency, while a defined starting role offers a chance to improve his market. The gamble could help both sides, but his fit beside Rudy Gobert will test his shooting and decision-making.
Explainer
Marc Stad has agreed to become the Timberwolves’ controlling owner by purchasing most of Marc Lore’s stake at a reported $4.5 billion valuation. The deal still needs NBA approval, Alex Rodriguez is staying, and the figure does not mean Stad paid $4.5 billion in cash.
Explainer
The NBA can void Kawhi Leonard’s contract for salary-cap circumvention, but only after both Leonard’s side and the Clippers’ side are found responsible. That demanding standard explains why Toronto is waiting—and why recent reporting does not settle the trade.
Explainer
The 2026-27 NBA season begins October 20 with an NBC and Peacock tripleheader and ends April 11. Here are the biggest games, broadcast details and the reason each team initially has only 80 assigned matchups.
Explainer
The 2026 NBA Cup begins October 30, sends eight teams to single-elimination play and ends December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Here are the groups, national TV schedule, tiebreakers and impact on the 82-game season.
Explainer
The 2026 NBA Christmas schedule features five games on ABC and ESPN, beginning with a Spurs-Knicks Finals rematch and including LeBron James’ first scheduled trip back to Los Angeles as a 76er.
Team Pulse
Minnesota has no established one-for-one replacement for Naz Reid. The real decision is how to divide his frontcourt minutes and scoring responsibility.
Explainer
Charlotte received Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three second-round picks, and three first-round swap rights for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green.
Team Pulse
LaMelo Ball joins Anthony Edwards as a primary creator, while Naz Reid’s exit and Ayo Dosunmu’s arrival force Minnesota to define a new supporting hierarchy.
Team Pulse
LaMelo Ball's Minnesota fit depends on whether his passing sharpens Anthony Edwards' possessions without turning the Wolves into a two-guard compromise.
Team Pulse
Minnesota's Randle trade is best read as a roster-flexibility move around Anthony Edwards, not simply a talent-for-talent verdict on Randle.
Debate
Brooklyn's Randle question is whether his on-ball scoring is worth the fit and efficiency questions that now come with the reported deal.
Team Pulse
Anthony Edwards’ 32 points were enough to prove he can score in this series. Game 4 is about whether Minnesota can give him earlier catches, cleaner drive lanes, and faster outlets before San Antonio loads the floor again late.