Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has reportedly agreed to complete the sale of the franchise to an ownership group led by Marc Lore and Major League Baseball legend Alex Rodriguez.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Taylor has decided against appealing the ruling handed down by an arbitrator in February, paving the way for Lore and Rodriguez to take over as owners.

Per Charania, Lore and Rodriguez will buy 100 percent of the Timberwolves at the $1.5 billion price the two sides agreed to back in 2021.

Taylor announced in March 2024 that he would no longer sell the T-Wolves to Lore and Rodriguez, alleging that they "failed to meet certain contractual deadlines and obligations of the sale process," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski.

However, arbitrators ruled in favor of Lore and Rodriguez in February, paving the way for them to become the new owners.

At the time of Taylor's announcement last year that he would no longer be selling the Timberwolves, Rodriguez and Lore released a joint statement challenging Taylor's assertion that they failed to meet deadlines:

"We are disappointed with Glen Taylor's public statement today. We have fulfilled our obligations, have all necessary funding and are fully committed to closing our purchase of the team as soon as the NBA completes its approval process.

"Glen Taylor's statement is an unfortunate case of seller's remorse that is shortsighted and disruptive to the team and the fans during a historic winning season."

The sale price of $1.5 billion is a bargain compared to what NBA franchises have sold for since Taylor first reached an agreement with Lore and Rodriguez in 2021.

Most recently, the Boston Celtics were sold to a group led by Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion last month, which is the highest-ever sale price for a North American sports franchise.

Before that, the record sale price for an NBA franchise was $4 billion for the Phoenix Suns.

The Timberwolves entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. While they have yet to win a championship or even reach the NBA Finals, they have experienced some recent success.

Minnesota has reached the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals last season.

At 44-32, this season has been somewhat disappointing for the T-Wolves. But they are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, and they can avoid having to go through the postseason play-in tournament if they surpass Memphis.

Led by superstar Anthony Edwards and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves have a chance to do some damage come playoff time.

As a 14-time All-Star, three-time American League MVP and one-time World Series champion during his 22-year MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, A-Rod brings plenty of winning experience to the ownership group of the T-Wolves as well.

While the Minnesota Timberwolves ownership situation remains in a state of limbo, the core of their roster for the 2025-26 season could look similar to what it is right now.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, there is a "general belief" around the NBA that Julius Randle and Naz Reid will remain with the T-Wolves even though both could become free agents this summer.

It's unclear at this point if that means they are going to sign new contracts or exercise their player options for 2025-26. Randle has a $30.9 million player option in his current deal, while Reid would earn just over $15 million if he plays on his option.

Of course, any discussion about talent could be dependent on what happens with ownership. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore won their arbitration case against current Timberwolves governor Glen Taylor in a ruling announced on Feb. 10.

The Rodriguez-Lore team also submitted documents to the NBA league office showing they have raised an additional $950 million that is in an escrow account as they look to finalize their purchase of the franchise.

Even though the NBA held a board of governors meeting on Thursday, there was no vote held to formally approve the Timberwolves sale. Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters that Taylor has the right to appeal the arbitration decision, so they are "on hold there and waiting for decisions among the parties."

The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski reported when the arbitration ruling was first announced that Taylor isn't expected to challenge the decision.

There's also the looming issue with president of basketball operations Tim Connelly. He also has an opt-out decision this summer after restructuring his contract in June to return for the 2024-25 campaign.

Connelly, who was a key architect in building the Denver Nuggets roster that won the 2023 NBA Finals, has been with Minnesota since May 2022. He would likely be one of the most sought-after executives if he decides to leave the Timberwolves.

Minnesota currently has $244 million in cap commitments on the books for next season between player salaries and cap holds. That figure includes the salaries for Randle and Reid on their player options.

One of the reasons the Timberwolves decided to trade Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks prior to the start of this season was because of the remaining money he was owed and a luxury-tax bill that would have been around $51 million.

The trade did keep the Timberwolves deep into the tax this season, but they don't have many salary commitments beyond 2025-26. Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels are their only players with guaranteed contracts after next season.

Randle and Reid are having solid seasons. The former ranks second on the team with 18.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 60 starts, while the latter, who won Sixth Man of the Year last season, is averaging a career-high 14.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 72 appearances.

The Timberwolves have won nine of their last 12 games and sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 41-32 record.

The NBA has fined Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards $35,000 following his ejection from his team's 111-102 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

After Edwards received his second technical in the third quarter, he threw the ball into the stands.

Edwards was previously suspended one game without pay as well, as his second technical on Thursday was his 16th of the season.

That was a costly missed game for the Timberwolves, who fell 117-116 at the last-place Utah Jazz on Friday without Edwards.

It's been tough sledding for the Timberwolves of late, who slipped to ninth in the Western Conference with the loss to Utah.

The good news is that Minnesota's next five games are all against teams with losing records, beginning at the Phoenix Suns on Sunday evening. Edwards will be back for that one as Minnesota fights for a playoff spot.

The Timberwolves really can't afford to slog through the season as they have this year, however. Minnesota is one of five teams separated by a game-and-a-half from sixth through 10th in the standings, so the Timberwolves will fight just to stay out of the play-in.

But Minnesota also has to look behind as well, as 11th-place Phoenix (three-and-a-half games back of the Timberwolves) and the 12th-place Portland Trail Blazers (four-and-a-half games back) aren't out of this.

Having Edwards back certainly helps. Tipoff in Phoenix is set for Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been suspended for one game without pay after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season.

Edwards was ejected from his team's 111-102 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday evening after receiving his second technical foul.

Edwards and Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt received double technicals to begin the second quarter after a shoving match.

Edwards picked up his second technical foul after not getting a foul call in the third quarter when he threw the ball into the stands.

It's been a frustrating season for Edwards and the Timberwolves. One year after making the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota could very well miss the playoffs altogether in 2025. At it stands, Minnesota is tied for eighth in the Western Conference with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Timberwolves appear more likely than not to fall into the play-in at this juncture, meaning a fight for the postseason in a month-and-a-half.

Losing Edwards for one game hurts, although it'll be a road matchup against the last-place Utah Jazz on Friday evening.

The bigger issue is whether Edwards accumulates any more technicals. Per NBA rules, any player who hits the 16-technical mark is suspended a game per any two additional technical fouls amassed.

Minnesota certainly doesn't want to see that, especially given Edwards' production (27.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.6 APG). For now, Edwards sits out a game, with his return set for Sunday at the Phoenix Suns.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been mired by injuries throughout the season, but their depleted roster reportedly could get some new life soon.

During an appearance on NBA Countdown, ESPN's Shams Charania reported: "I'm told that there is optimism that Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo will be able to return to the lineup at some point over the team's upcoming four-game road trip."

Randle has missed the last nine games with a groin injury, while DiVincenzo has been sidelined for the last 17 games due to a toe injury.

Both players were acquired as part of the offseason trade that sent star center Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, and after some early hiccups, they both found a rhythm prior to going down with their injuries.

Charania noted the Timberwolves went 10-4 in their last 14 games with Randle in the lineup, including a five-game win streak. The 30-year-old averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his 48 appearances this season.

DiVincenzo averaged 11.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 40 games this season, but he upped his production before being sidelined. Across eight games in January, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 41.8 percent from three-point range.

The Timberwolves rank seventh in the Western Conference with a 31-26 record entering Sunday night's game against the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder (45-10). Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards has done his best to keep Minnesota afloat and ranks fourth in the league with 27.6 points per game, but the team has lost three of its last four outings.

Getting Randle and DiVincenzo back in the lineup will improve the Timberwolves' chances of climbing the standings as the postseason approaches.

Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards is regarded as one of the fastest-rising superstars in the NBA, but by his own account, he hasn't yet lived up to that status.

While speaking to Mike DeStefano of Complex, Edwards declared that he doesn't feel like he's reached the superstar level based on his performance this season.

"I would say I haven't been playing like it this year," Edwards said. "This is my first time where I'm having my own team, and I haven't been showing it. I don't think I'm a superstar yet."

Many would think that Edwards is being hard on himself, as he ranks fifth in the NBA with 27.5 points per game while also adding 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals. He's shooting 42.4 percent from three-point range, by far the best mark of his five-year career. His individual success helped him earn his third straight selection to the All-Star Game.

However, the 23-year-old was given the reins when the Timberwolves traded star forward Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks over the offseason, and the team has regressed with him leading the way. Minnesota ranks seventh in the Western Conference with a 30-24 record entering Wednesday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Comparatively, the team had a 38-16 record through 54 games in 2023-24 on its way to finishing third in the West at 56-26.

Edwards' comments indicate that he knows he hasn't reached his full potential, but he has the right attitude. The 2020 No. 1 pick can be one of the best players in the league when he puts it all together, and it sounds like he is driven to continue working his way toward that level.

Arbitrators ruled in favor of Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez on Monday in their legal battle to become the majority ownership group of the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, though they still need to receive approval from the NBA's Board of Governors.

"We are extremely pleased with today's decision," Lore and Rodriguez said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the NBA to complete the approval process and close this transaction so that we can turn our attention to winning championships in Minnesota for our incredible fans and the Twin Cities community."

Taylor released his own statement after the ruling:

The arbitration case was to resolve Taylor's attempt to completely nix the sale of the Wolves and the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx after he said that Lore and Rodriguez failed to meet the deadline for payment.

As ESPN's Brian Windhorst outlined in November, the incoming ownership group agreed to make three payments to Taylor to complete the sale. The first two were made in 2022 and 2023, transferring a 36 percent ownership stake (worth around $600 million) to Lore and Rodriguez, with the third due by the end of March 2024 for another $600 million.

But Taylor said the pair missed the payment and sought to halt the sale of the team, though Lore and Rodriguez argued that they had the money but were delayed by the NBA's approval process, believing they should be granted an extension.

And thus, the situation went to arbitration.

While Lore and Rodriguez picked up a crucial win on Monday, they are not guaranteed to become the majority ownership group just yet. The NBA Board of Governors will still need to approve the ownership percentage transfer, with Lore and Rodriguez requiring 23 of 30 votes. While it would be "unprecedented" for the current NBA governors to reject the sale at this point, per Windhorst, it remains a possibility.

Lore and Rodriguez have been preparing for this moment, however. As Windhorst noted, the duo have added billionaires Michael Bloomberg and Eric Schmidt, alongside private equity firm Dyal Homecourt Partners, to their ownership group. In the process, they've raised "$950 million and have it in an escrow account and have made it clear in documents they plan to offer to buy out Taylor and his partners for the remaining 64 percent of the teams, sources said. Not just the additional 40 percent the disputed contract calls for."

Taylor could look to draw out the legal process, or the NBA Board of Governors could make the surprising decision to side against Lore and Rodriguez. For now, however, it appears likely that the majority ownership of the Wolves and Lynx will be changing hands.

Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards didn't take kindly to Houston Rockets wing Dillon Brooks on Thursday, providing these remarks to reporters after a 127-114 home (h/t Timberwolves beat writer Travis Singleton).

"I love the competing part, but like all the little slick little dirty s--t, like he hit me in the face, and then I fell and then he like, 'How much crying you gonna do?'

"I'm like, 'Bruh, you hit me in my motherf--king face. What you want me to do?'

"So, you know, I just don't like that part. Like, don't do something and act like you didn't do it, you know what I'm saying? But I love all the competitiveness, like we compete all day, we can talk s--t all day, but when you give it doing that, yeah, it's more than basketball at that point.

Edwards got the best of the matchup in the victory, though, dropping 41 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Brooks, of course, is known for being one of the NBA's primary antagonists and villains. He's notably poked at Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in the past and even got ejected from a 2023 playoff game (as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies) when he struck a low blow on him.

So it's not a surprise that he's going after another star in Edwards, who didn't take kindly to Brooks' actions. Things definitely got chippy between the two in this one.

In the end, Edwards emerged the winner.

Fans won't have to wait long to see these two in action again. Houston will host Minnesota in its first game post-All-Star Weekend on Friday, Feb. 21.

While the Golden State Warriors were the team perhaps most prominently in the mix for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, another team reportedly made a late offer for him at the trade deadline.

Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Minnesota Timberwolves "made a last-ditch effort" to trade for Durant ahead of Thursday's deadline, but the deal ultimately didn't materialize.

It's unclear what package the Timberwolves offered the Suns for Durant, but it's fair to assume they wouldn't have included young star Anthony Edwards. Minnesota has a handful of draft picks and some pieces on its roster at its disposal, but whatever the Wolves offered the Suns wasn't enough.

Phoenix appeared ready to make a splash at the deadline by either trading Durant or landing a star like Jimmy Butler, but it ended up being a relatively quiet day. The only move the Suns made on Thursday was a deal that sent Jusuf Nurkić and a 2026 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in return for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micić and a 2026 second-round pick.

The Timberwolves had an even quieter deadline with no trades.

Durant received plenty of attention at this year's deadline. The Warriors pursued their former star, but he was reportedly "cold to the idea" of returning to Golden State, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater and Sam Amick.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on NBA Today Thursday that after the Warriors' pursuit of Durant ended, other teams began "making really aggressive calls to the Suns" about Durant.

One such team was the Dallas Mavericks, who SNY's Ian Begley reported were "very aggressive" in trying to find a trade for Durant.

Ultimately, Durant will remain in Phoenix for now and the Suns will try to turn things around after a rough start to the year. Phoenix is currently in 10th place in the Western Conference at 25-25. The Timberwolves haven't fared much better, sitting in seventh place in the West at 28-23.

Both teams will try to regroup and come back stronger in the second half of the season despite a lack of significant moves at this year's trade deadline.