Still reeling from the departure of Nickeil Walker-Alexander in free agency, the Minnesota Timberwolves were dealt another tough news.
According to The Athletic, the Timberwolves are likely out in the Bradley Beal sweepstakes as the Los Angeles Clippers, “are likely the leaders to sign” Beal if he secures a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns.
The Timberwolves are one of the five teams that have “confirmed interest” in Beal, according to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.
“The Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, Timberwolves and, yes, Giannis’ Bucks are teams with a confirmed interest in signing Beal once he reaches the open market … with the Clippers widely regarded as a particularly strong contender to land the 33-year-old former All-Star,” Stein and Fischer reported on “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter on July 12.
The Clippers can offer Beal, a three-time All-Star, up to $5.3 million in salary for the 2025-26 season. Additionally, the Clippers have an opening in their starting unit after trading Norman Powell to the Miami Heat in a three-team deal that brought back forward John Collins.
What Timberwolves Can Offer Bradley Beal
GettyPhoenix Suns guards Bradley Beal and Devin Booker defend Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves can make a better offer in terms of money. But his role will likely be limited to being the Sixth Man unless Anthony Edwards starts at point guard with Beal next to him.
They could offer Beal their $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception, which they will only use if they think the player they get will make a significant impact next season, given how close they are to the second-apron threshold of $207.8 million, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, citing league sources.
Beal is that kind of player.
The three-time All-Star will be a bargain for a team that will sign him as an unrestricted free agent. He averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 50/39/80 shooting splits last season for the Suns despite his clunky fit next to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
But it seems Beal likes the sunny California weather more than the frigid weather in Minnesota.
Risky Backup Plan
Aside from Beal, the Timberwolves also have their eyes on former Sixth Man and Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon as their potential Walker-Alexander replacement.
According to Fischer, the Timberwolves are one of the eight teams that have expressed interest in veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon.
“League sources say that the Wizards are open to sign-and-trade discussions to facilitate Brogdon’s exit and a slew of teams have registered varying levels of interest in the 32-year-old. That list includes the Clippers, Suns and Lakers as well as the Warriors, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Kings and Bucks,” Fischer wrote.
Brogdon is coming off his second-lowest scoring season in his career. A left ankle sprain sidelined him for the final 28 games after only playing a career-low 24 games.
The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 12.7 points while shooting a career-worst 28.6% from the three-point line, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game for the tanking Wizards.
Injuries have derailed his once-promising career. He has not played over 70 games since his rookie season. Since the Boston Celtics shipped him to Portland in 2023, Brogdon has only played in 63 games across the last two seasons.
When healthy, Brogdon provides a steady hand and tough perimeter defense with his 6 feet 10.5 inches wingspan. He could start next to Edwards or come off the bench and team up with another former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid to lead the Timberwolves’ second unit.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Timberwolves Dealt Another Major Blow in NBA Free Agency appeared first on Heavy Sports.