Unlike last summer, it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the Timberwolves. Minnesota handed out extensions to two of its best players, Julius Randle and Naz Reid. Other than the loss of Nickiel Alexander-Walker, there have been no significant losses (or additions) to this roster. After two straight exits in the Western Conference Finals, can running it back get this group over the hump?
The Timberwolves have a projected win total of 50.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook, fourth-highest in the Western Conference.
If you’re interested in seeing any of the other NBA teams’ projected win totals, check out DKN‘s master list of the full 2025-2026 NBA projected win totals.
Minnesota Timberwolves 2025-2026 projected win total
Analysis
Complacency isn’t the worst thing for the Timberwolves. After last year’s blockbuster Randle-Karl-Anthony Towns trade, there should have more chemistry next season. The bigger issue is the moves that Minnesota’s Western Conference competitors have made.
The Rockets pulled off the biggest blockbuster of the summer, landing Kevin Durant in a trade with the Suns. Elsewhere, the Nuggets re-shaped their roster around Nikola Jokic, dealing for Brooklyn’s Cameron Johnson. Denver also bolstered its lackluster bench, signing Tim Hardaway Jr. and bringing back Bruce Brown. The defending champion Thunder remain the team to beat, with a young core poised to dominate going forward.
It’s not as if the Timberwolves were a sure thing last year, going 49-33. While the team did make a deep playoff run, that might alter the general public’s opinion on their chances next season. After all, Minnesota was only the sixth seed in the loaded Western Conference. Let’s be clear: the Wolves are a bonafide NBA Finals contender. Still, it’s not as if they faced stiff postseason competition. The poorly constructed Lakers and the Stephen Curry-less Warriors were not exactly juggernauts.
If Minnesota is going to take the next step, it’ll need internal improvement. The most likely candidates are Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr., two first-round picks in 2024. If either youngster offers a boost over veteran Mike Conley, the Timberwolves will have far more depth. Defensive menace Jaden McDaniels could become a more polished scorer, as well. After all, the wing is still just 24 years old. It’s worth noting that when healthy, this looks like a far different group. When Julius Randle played, the Wolves went 44-25. As always, Anthony Edwards is a good bet to earn an All-NBA team selection. Can the guard take that next step into MVP contention?
Minnesota Timberwolves projected win total: Best bets, predictions
Minnesota Timberwolves under 50.5 wins (-105)
The Timberwolves remain one of the league’s most balanced units. Outside of Oklahoma City, few squads offer up the same level of scoring and defensive prowess. Still, this is the West; even terrific teams can find themselves struggling to avoid the play-in. Compared to other contenders, Minnesota did little to upgrade. The duo of Edwards and Randle, while stellar, might not be enough to compete with the overwhelming depth of OKC, Houston and Denver. Without much roster improvement, I struggle to see how this group earns more wins next season.
