The Western Conference Finals continue (and potentially end) tonight. Good luck, Timberwolves.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET
- OKC leads the series 3-1
NBA Playoffs Open Thread – Wednesday, May 28
Can the Timberwolves extend the series? Find out, tonight.
By Tony Xypteras | 14 Comments | May 28, 2025
May 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and center Rudy Gobert (27) talk against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
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Geeeeezus, OKC held Minnesota to NINE first quarter points and leading by 33 at half. This series is over.
Predicted okc in five but didn’t expect this kind of blowout.
okc in 4 in the championship round. Western Conference is far superior.
I thought the OKC-DEN series was the series between the two best teams in the NBA, and OKC basically plastered DEN, even though the series went 7 games. OKC is looking like they’re generationally good. They may have a mini dynasty thing going.
Agree
They “plastered” Denver who had one key guy with one shoulder (MPJ) and another severely hobbled (Gordon).
MPJ being injured is not surprising. The Gordon injury was unfortunate but I don’t think even a healthy Gordon would’ve made the final game much closer.
OKC is built to last. They were the youngest team in the NBA at the start of the season and are on cusp of a title. Between OKC, DEN and SAS, the rest of the WC is fkd for the next half decade.
It looks like that, but IIRC similar things were said the previous time the Thunder reached the Finals, with Westbrook, Durant, Harden and Ibaka.
Things can change quickly in today’s NBA. I wouldn’t be surprised if Denver will continue to slip and we’ll have Malone around to make cynical remarks about it.
Very true. It’ll be interesting to see how OKC pays their core in a couple of years all the while still having that stockpile of picks. At least for the next couple years I don’t see any drop off for them.
Malone is one persnickety fussy dude.
I legit think naz Reid is gettable for a team like the kings. He’s gonna want to start and get paid
Kings currently can’t afford him. All they have to offer is the full MLE at around $13M, which is what he is currently being paid. That exception is really only good for rounding out the roster with role players. As you said, Reid is gonna want to get paid. I imagine he’s looking at starting around a $25M per year deal.
We could trade into a team with cap space to free it up, there are almost always ways, they could definitely find a solution if they think he can be a key piece.
A more likely option for any team not named brooklyn is a sign and trade
The reality is, the only teams with that kind of cap space are Brooklyn and Detroit. Either would want draft compensation to eat a deal like DDR’s, which is what it would take to sign Reid to a contract he’d want.
I also don’t believe the Wolves can participate in a sign and trade because they are so close to the 1st apron. Doing so would hard cap them. Then there is the whole notion of convincing Reid to come to Sac. I give it a near 0% chance of happening.
My guess would be the Wolves pony up and re-sign Reid, which they can do with his Bird Rights, and spend deep into the tax and possibly the 2nd apron. Next year Randle and Conley are expiring They might as well spend big and roll it back as 2nd best team in the West. They also have new ownership with deep pockets.
I’m not sure how Minny is going to afford to keep that roster together.
NAK, Naz and Randle are FA’s or have options.
Minny clearly needs another bucket getter to take the pressure off ANT. I wonder if there’s a way we could get NAK and Naz for MM and whoever else to make the salaries work. I’m assuming a sign and trade would work with the Minny players, but admittedly I have no clue how any of that works. I just know NAK and Naz would really fit well with what we need on this roster.
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