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Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels Among Likely Trade Candidates in Shocking Minnesota Timberwolves Pay Cut Plans

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated 4/11/24

Years ago, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez started the ball rolling on their planned purchase of the Minnesota Timberwolves from majority owner Glen Taylor. Had it pushed through, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels would have been traded in the coming offseason.

According to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski for ESPN, Lore and Rodriguez passed a projected budget plan that would have reduced the Timberwolves’ payroll to $171 million for the 2024-25 season. This plan would have placed the franchise below the projected luxury tax threshold of $172 million. It also could have transformed the team from paying $25 million-plus tax to getting a tax distribution of around $6.5 million.

The current iteration of the Timberwolves are finally contending in the NBA with the team finishing the regular season within the top three in the Western Conference. Lore and Rodriguez projected cuts to the budget became a concern for Taylor, leading the majority owner to void the deal that could have sealed the sale to the two.

At this point in time, both sides have declined to comment on this issue. Furthermore, NBA commissioner revealed that the league has no place in that dispute and a mediation plan is in place should the need for it arises.

The Timberwolves are projected to have the NBA’s fourth most expensive payroll when the next season comes around. This estimated $198 payroll includes three maximum contract players, one of which is Karl-Anthony Towns.

Failed Minnesota Timberwolves Pay Cut Plans Reveal Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels as Potential Trade Pieces

Had Lore and Rodriguez acquired the majority ownership of the franchise, Minnesota would have to trade some of its players to keep the payroll within their projected budget. Wojnarowski revealed these guys to be All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels in a video shared by Minnesota Sports Fan on X:

Towns has adapted to playing with All-Star center Rudy Gobert and still managed to average 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while connecting 42 percent from the three-point line. McDaniels, on the other hand, is a talented defender who can contain the opposing squad’s best player on the wing.

Both guys have proven to be instrumental in Minnesota’s strong performance this season. Fortunately, Taylor has put his foot down to Rodriguez and Lore’s plan to maintain the Timberwolves’ momentum in the coming years.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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