As we inch closer to the NBA’s trade deadline and the calendar flips to a new year, front offices across the league are getting more active - and the Minnesota Timberwolves are no exception. With one of the best records in the Western Conference, the Wolves are doing their homework on potential backcourt upgrades, and their search has reportedly expanded to include Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton.
According to league sources, Minnesota is in the midst of what’s been described as “due diligence” - not necessarily pushing chips in just yet, but certainly evaluating the landscape. Sexton’s name has entered the Timberwolves’ radar, though it’s worth noting that any interest appears to be in him, not LaMelo Ball, who remains central to Charlotte’s long-term plans.
Around the league, rival executives are keeping a close eye on the Wolves. Several team figures reportedly mentioned Minnesota as one of the more active Western Conference teams exploring the point guard market. The Wolves are clearly in the mix, and while no blockbuster seems imminent, there’s a sense that something could be brewing - especially if the right opportunity presents itself.
Now, let’s be clear: there are some big names floating around the rumor mill this winter. Ja Morant, Trae Young, Darius Garland, James Harden - even LaMelo Ball’s name has popped up in speculative talks.
But for Minnesota, swinging for that kind of star likely isn’t realistic without giving up core pieces like Julius Randle or Naz Reid. And that’s where things get complicated.
The Timberwolves aren’t looking to blow up a good thing. They're 19-10, firmly in the thick of the West race, and have made back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals.
Any move they make has to complement what’s already working - not disrupt it. That’s why, according to sources, Jaden McDaniels is off the table.
And it’s easy to see why. At 25, McDaniels is having a career year, averaging 15.0 points per game while quietly flirting with the coveted 50/40/90 shooting splits.
Throw in his All-Defensive Team-level impact, and it’s no surprise Minnesota is holding firm on keeping him.
As for other potential targets, Chicago’s Coby White has reportedly been discussed, but Minnesota’s interest there is lukewarm at best. The concern? White is headed for unrestricted free agency, and his current salary doesn’t make him an easy fit financially or strategically.
That brings us back to Sexton. The 26-year-old guard is averaging 15.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game, shooting a strong 48.9% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc.
He’s started 10 of his 21 games this season and is in the final year of a four-year, $70.9 million deal, carrying an $18.9 million expiring salary. For a team like Minnesota, that could be a manageable number - especially if the goal is to bolster the rotation without committing long-term money or sacrificing key assets.
Charlotte, meanwhile, appears open to making moves - but not at the expense of their franchise cornerstone. The Hornets are reportedly willing to listen on Sexton, a veteran presence who could be on the move as the team tries to balance competitiveness with a longer-term rebuild. With the NBA’s longest active playoff drought (nine seasons and counting), the Hornets are clinging to Play-In hopes, but they’re also realistic about where they stand.
The Timberwolves have also been loosely linked to James Harden, though his $39.1 million salary this season - and $42.3 million player option for next year - make that a tough needle to thread. It’s not impossible, but it’s certainly not simple. And according to team insiders, there’s “absolutely nothing cooking” on that front for now.
So where does that leave Minnesota? In a familiar spot - a contender looking to fine-tune rather than overhaul.
They’ve got a top-tier defense, a cohesive core, and a legitimate shot to make noise in the West. Adding a player like Sexton could give them another ball-handler who can create his own shot and provide a scoring punch off the bench or in spot starts.
But the Wolves are being methodical. They’re not rushing into anything, and they’re not about to compromise their identity for a short-term fix.
Minnesota wraps up a three-game homestand Tuesday night against the Knicks before heading to Denver for a high-stakes Christmas Day showdown with the defending champs. Whether or not a move is made before the deadline, one thing’s clear: the Timberwolves are in the mix, and the rest of the West is watching.