The Timberwolves have cleared five names off the roster as they move down to the regular-season limit, and the biggest immediate takeaway is that Minnesota is leaving one two-way opening available for now.
According to the team’s press release, the Wolves waived Enrique Freeman, Antonio Reeves, KJ Martin, Norchad Omier and Drew Timme. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reported that Minnesota intends to keep the two-way slot open for the next few days to monitor who becomes available.
Freeman, 26, was the only player in that group on a two-way contract. The third-year power forward signed with Minnesota on a two-way deal last summer, played in four NBA games, spent time with the team’s G League affiliate and then re-signed on another two-way contract in July.
The other four players were all on Exhibit 10 deals. Martin is the most experienced of the bunch.
The 29-year-old forward has played in 309 combined games over the last five seasons with the Rockets, Clippers, Sixers and Jazz. After playing in China last season, he was trying to work his way back into the league with Minnesota.
Reeves, who was a second-round pick in 2024, has appeared in 54 total games across two NBA seasons with New Orleans and Charlotte. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard spent last season on a two-way contract with the Hornets.
Omier, a 6-foot-7 power forward, played six games for the Clippers last season after joining them in February on a two-way deal. He also played 38 G League games for the San Diego Clippers and Cleveland Charge.
Timme, listed at 6-foot-9, appeared in 27 games with the Lakers last season after playing nine games for the Nets as a rookie. He also has G League stops with the Wisconsin Herd, Stockton Kings, Long Island Nets and South Bay Lakers.
If they clear waivers, all five could end up with Minnesota’s G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. After these moves, the Timberwolves have 13 players on fully guaranteed contracts, plus Trey Lyles, whose deal is partially guaranteed until January 10.
In Other News...
Bulls Have One Last Chance To Fix Familiar Problems
The Bulls get one more preseason look Friday night against the Timberwolves at the United Center, a final tune-up before the games start counting. Chicago is coming off a win over the Milwaukee Bucks, but the bigger preseason themes have not changed much: turnovers still pop up, and the defense has not been as steady as the Bulls would like heading into the opener.
Minnesota is expected to rest several key players, which shifts the focus even more onto Chicago's own progress rather than the opponent in front of it. The Bulls are also hoping their frontcourt picture starts to clear soon, with some injured big men trending toward a return by the regular season opener, even as the roster still has at least one lingering absence up front. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Bench Problem Could Open The Door For Trey Lyles
Jonathan Kuminga has already locked down the starting power forward spot for the Timberwolves after a strong preseason, but the bigger question hanging over the roster is what happens behind him. Minnesotas bench picture is still cloudy, with Ayo Dosunmu and Joan Beringer the only reserves currently assured of regular minutes, leaving the rest of the second unit to sort itself out as the season approaches.
Trey Lyles looks like one of the names best positioned to benefit from that uncertainty. The veteran signed a minimum deal after spending last season in Europe with Real Madrid, and his steady play gives Minnesota a more trustworthy option than most of the other candidates fighting for minutes. His path back into a regular role is still being sorted out, but the Wolves have a clear need for reliability on the bench and Lyles has already made a case to be part of it. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Just Settled Their Toughest Roster Battles Before Opening Night
The preseason ended with a loss to the Bulls, but the more important business for Minnesota came after the final horn. The Timberwolves trimmed their camp roster, moving to 16 players ahead of the regular-season opener against the Heat and making the kind of late decisions every team has to make when the calendar flips from exhibition play to games that count.
Among the players on the move were Antonio Reeves, Enrique Freeman, KJ Martin, Norchad Omier and Drew Timme, a group that included some productive preseason shooting and a few hopeful depth pieces. The cuts also clarified a few bubble debates, with Isaiah Evans and Cody Williams hanging on while Minnesota finished sorting through the last of its roster battles before opening night. [Read more 🡒]