Minnesota Timberwolves 2025-2026 Press Conference: Return of the Timberpups

[JNR]

The JNR is standing at a podium, his shirt unbuttoned and slightly rumpled.

The JNR: I just had a baby so I wasn't able to prepare a big video package. Not that there were many highlights of last season anyway. We traded Andrew Wiggins in the offseason and Keith Pfeffer during the regular season, two players who were instrumental in our title run a few seasons ago. We knew that it was time for a rebuild, and that the results would reflect that. In the end, we finished 30-52, the 7th worst record in the league. We were incredibly fortunate to jump in the lottery, getting the 2nd pick in the draft, and we were delighted that our number one prospect was available at #2. We selected Luka Doncic, an incredibly young and raw talent who could be great one day. We then drafted Mario Ruiz with the 21st pick.

In RFA we set our sights on Trae Young, wanting a point guard of the future. We were in negotiations to acquire him in a sign and trade, but the Magic realized what a prize they would be letting go, and they matched his offer. We moved onto Free Agency, where we were able to acquire some good young talent. We brought in Mitch Cohn, Beau Agustin, and Alvin Pack, as well as bringing back Don Houghton, Andre Betts, and Todd Dearing from last year's squad. We also acquired Cheick Diallo and Collin Sexton through trades, assembling a full roster.

Now, in the past, this team's rebuilds have been fairly short. We were bad for a single season, maybe two, and we were lucky enough to get talent who didn't take long to get going to propel us back to contendership. We were also impatient, sending assets out to get stars as soon as we could. I think part of that impatience was my focus on wins, on hitting a home run to bring a championship home. That desire has been tempered, so now I can focus on doing a rebuild the right way.

We won't swing for the fences, not right away. We will continue to try to get our young players to develop. Training camp was a good step in that direction, with most players getting better and only a few taking setbacks. We won't win a ton of games, but I think we will have a constant vision of the future and that will keep us going.

The projected starting lineup this year is:

C: Mitch Cohn
PF: Cheick Diallo
SF: Collin Sexton
SG: Alvin Pack
PG: Beau Agustin

And we expect valuable contributions from Sabonis, Ragand, Houghton, Doncic, Betts, and Dearing off the bench.

There isn't much more to say on the team. I'm excited to see what our young squad is capable of. I'll now leave it open for questions.

[false9]

What happened with Desean Hawkins? Were the sign and trade offers unsuitable for the rebuild?

[IamQuailman]

Chieck Diallo could be poised for a break-out year. Are you excited about the training camp he had? The market was pretty quiet on him, despite looking like a more than capable starter.

[Wombataholic]

Do you think Doncic will be ready to contribute before his first contract is up?

[JNR]

What happened with Desean Hawkins? Were the sign and trade offers unsuitable for the rebuild?

The JNR: Once we determined there were no offers that we liked, we told Hawkins to find a good offer from a team that was better suited for his talents. I would have liked to receive compensation but it wasnt in the cards.

[JNR]

Chieck Diallo could be poised for a break-out year. Are you excited about the training camp he had? The market was pretty quiet on him, despite looking like a more than capable starter.

The JNR: We are very excited. He may end up being our best player this year. We went from having a lot of potential and no current talent at the position to a good bit of both. We're excited to see what he brings us this season.

[JNR]

Do you think Doncic will be ready to contribute before his first contract is up?

The JNR: We plan on fast tracking that process as much as we are able to, but we won't rush his development. He's 19 and has plenty of time to grow. He likely won't be putting up great numbers before he's a free agent, but we won't let that keep us from signing him.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Aside from Doncic, are there any players on this team who you see remaining as Timberwolves after their current contracts are up?

[Eazy P]

How long do you think will your rebuild last?

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: With the sorta-exception of Alvin Pack, your entire starting five is made up of newly-acquired talent, as opposed to guys like Doncic, Sabonis, and Ragland, players who appear to be a part of the Wolves' future. Is this a calculated move to see right away which new additions are permanent and which are temporary?

[JNR]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Aside from Doncic, are there any players on this team who you see remaining as Timberwolves after their current contracts are up?

The JNR: I think Diallo can, and depending on his development, so can Mitch Cohn. All of the others are completely dependent on his this rebuild goes.

[JNR]

How long do you think will your rebuild last?

The JNR: Impossible to say. Maybe 4, 5 seasons?

[JNR]

Random Reporter: With the sorta-exception of Alvin Pack, your entire starting five is made up of newly-acquired talent, as opposed to guys like Doncic, Sabonis, and Ragland, players who appear to be a part of the Wolves' future. Is this a calculated move to see right away which new additions are permanent and which are temporary?

The JNR: Mostly it's because I believe in starting your best players. Right now my future pieces aren't quite there yet in terms of current ability, so I think it would be unethical to start them.