Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-2025 Press Conference

[JNR]

"Hey, remember when we won the title?"

Still shot of the banner unveil from last season's press conference.

"I 'member."

Still shot of Andrew Wiggins holding the PBSL trophy.

"I made a promise that Andrew Wiggins would be a Timberwolf for life. That he'd go down as the best player of all time to play for a single team."

Still shot of an online article: "WIGGINS TRADED TO ORLANDO FOR...SOME STUFF?"

"So...what happened?"

Another still shot of the championship trophy. This time The JNR is standing by it, looking at it proudly, as if it were a son.

"Um...boredom, I guess?"

The lights come up and The JNR is at the podium. He shrugs.

"Look, championship malaise is a thing. I finally reached the pinnacle, and then I looked at the team last year...and I was bored. Think about it this way. If this were all a video game, each rebuild is one life. And I went through the Webber rebuild until it was game over, I went through the Bosh rebuild in the same way. And then the Wiggins rebuild...I won. But what are you supposed to do after the win the game? Keep playing?

"Sure, you can go for multiple championships. But last year didn't have the magic of the year before, and I felt it'd be hard to get it back again. I was ready to move on. I probably didn't get the value that a player of Wiggins' caliber deserves. I am so appreciative of everything he did for the franchise, and he will be considered the all time best Timberwolf for the rest of the history.

"So the goal this year is to start another life in the video game. See what we have. We have Pfeffer still, and Hawkins, who is eager to prove his value. We brought in some young players at center and Andre Drummond to provide leadership there. We haven't quite figured out our starting lineup, but we will. It should be an interesting season. Any questions?"

[NOLa.]

The offseason was full of rumors that the trade market was not there for sellers. Do you believe this is true and what was the biggest factor for teams being so cheap?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ballsohard]

Can you talk about the state of trading in this league?

[JNR]

The offseason was full of rumors that the trade market was not there for sellers. Do you believe this is true and what was the biggest factor for teams being so cheap?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The JNR: It was absolutely true, and I think max contracts have people leery. Andrew Wiggins is a great player, a top 5 player, but he is slated to make 46 million dollars in 4 years. That is a lot for teams to swallow when they're also sending assets out. I understand the hesitation, but I won't lie, it was definitely frustrating to deal with.

[JNR]

Can you talk about the state of trading in this league?

The JNR: I just answered this in part in the previous question, but I think people are very hesitant to part with youth in favor of a win-now player. I think so many teams have made ill-advised trades thinking they're one move away, and teams are learning from that. I also think some GMs are so worried about being on the losing end of a deal that they aggressively try to win a deal, which makes them hard to deal with. I learned a lot this summer, and I'll definitely be on my guard in the future. Anyone who spurned me this summer will have a very hard time negotiating with me from here on out, I can assure you.

[garbageman]

With the state of the West and a team in flux, are you aiming for the playoffs right now? Yes or no. No in between "we'll see what happens" answers.

[JNR]

With the state of the West and a team in flux, are you aiming for the playoffs right now? Yes or no. No in between "we'll see what happens" answers.

You're not my dad, I can answer how I want.

...No, I'm not aiming. BUT WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

[WigNosy]

You've made it no secret Keith Pfeffer is on the block; in past podcasts you have expressed being pleased at his growth. Why have you soured on him now?

[JNR]

You've made it no secret Keith Pfeffer is on the block; in past podcasts you have expressed being pleased at his growth. Why have you soured on him now?

I haven't soured on him, per se. It's just that he fits a direction the team isn't going in right now. But I'm also not trying to give him away either.

[Conroy]

With this new life in the video game what are you most looking forward to, long term and short term?

[JNR]

GWR: Short term: finding a good young player and renaming him. Long term, try another shot at winning the division with a complete roster of non-NBA players.

[drkavarga]

Do you envision another championship banner being raised in Minnesota this season?

[JNR]

Um. I just traded Andrew Wiggins, so...no? Please research teams before you ask questions.

[drkavarga]

Um. I just traded Andrew Wiggins, so...no? Please research teams before you ask questions.

Ok, here’s a question. Do you think a GM sitting their best players while giving the most minutes to their worst is a wussy tank move or do you approve of such horrendous strategy decisions that put a black eye on the league?

[JNR]

Um. I just traded Andrew Wiggins, so...no? Please research teams before you ask questions.

Ok, here’s a question. Do you think a GM sitting their best players while giving the most minutes to their worst is a wussy tank move or do you approve of such horrendous strategy decisions that put a black eye on the league?

Thanks for the question! Even though it isn't about my team, I do have an opinion. I personally believe the correct way to ensure you have a good draft pick is to trade away the assets who may win you more games. Sitting your best players isn't the way I would do it.

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: With so many players on one year contracts for you, is the plan to sign whoever plays well for you to new deals or to sign a big name (Anthony Davis?) in free agency and then fill the roster around that player?

[JNR]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: With so many players on one year contracts for you, is the plan to sign whoever plays well for you to new deals or to sign a big name (Anthony Davis?) in free agency and then fill the roster around that player?

The idea is to most likely fill the roster with young players with upside and see how much they grow with extended minutes. But if I can make some big signings and cut this rebuild short, I'll definitely go for it.