Timberwolves adjust their lineup! Officially abandon the two strong players

On June 30, according to well-known NBA reporter Michael Scotto, the Minnesota Timberwolves made a lineup adjustment decision: refusing to execute the team option worth $2.35 million for center Luca Garza in the 2025-26 season, and the team option worth $2.19 million for forward Josh Minnot.

This operation is not completely unexpected. Garza and Minnot played more roles on the team last season as rotation players at the end of the lineup. Garza played 39 games, averaging only 5.6 minutes per game, scoring 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds; Minot played 46 games, averaging 6.0 minutes per game, contributing 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds. Although the performance of the two has occasionally highlights, they have not yet entered the core rotation lineup.

The Timberwolves' move is mainly based on lineup flexibility considerations. By abandoning the execution of these two non-guaranteed contracts, the team instantly released a total of $4.54 million in salary space. This provides more operational possibilities for the Timberwolves, which are aiming to strengthen, especially the depth of the inside.

Wolves follower reporter Jon Krawczynski clearly stated in the report that the team "may be looking for another big man in the market now." This implies that management hopes to find more reliable or characteristic substitutes for Towns and Gobert, improving the thickness of the inside and tactical diversity.

However, there may be a follow-up to the story. Another team reporter, Christopher Hine, revealed that sources said that Garza "may still return to the Timberwolves." This means that the Timberwolves' gates are not completely closed to Garza, and the two sides may rejoin hands after the free market is opened with a new contract that is more friendly to the team (such as basic salary or insured).

Garza and Minot's key data comparison last season:

Players

Players

Play time per game

Score

Rebounds

Flight shooting percentage

Free shooting percentage

Luka Garza

39 games

5.6 minutes

3.5 points

1.4

49.5%

27.8%

68.6%

68.6%

46 games

6.0 minutes

2.6 points

1.0

48.9%

32.6%

89.5%

Timberwolves' offseason lineup construction is still in progress. The first step is to abandon Garza and Minot’s option, how will the saved salary space be used? Will new big guys be introduced as Krawczynski said? Or is it really as Hine news shows that Garza is left with a new contract?