Timberwolves Rumor: Windhorst details the Timberwolves trading plan to seriously chase Durant

ESPN's Brian Windhorst talks about the possibility of the Timberwolves chasing Suns All-Star forward Kevin Durant.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggested a trade for Phoenix Suns' All-Star Kevin Durant after Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves lost in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 4-1 and eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game 5. The Thunder won 68 games in the regular season before advancing to the NBA Finals with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses, dominating the Finals.

Many people believe that the 2024-25 season may be the beginning of the Thunder Dynasty. Can the Timberwolves ensure their third consecutive Western Conference Finals by signing Durant? According to ESPN's Hoop Collective, Windhorst said the Timberwolves had targeted Durant before this year's trade deadline, meaning they will continue to chase the 15-time All-Star in the offseason.

"I know this is a typical revisionist argument, not a revisionist, but a discussion after the transaction deadline, which is always a bit blurry. Through conversations with the parties involved, I have a clear understanding of how serious the Timberwolves are trying to trade Kevin Durant before the transaction deadline," Windhorst said. "The Timberwolves didn't play their best at the time. They ended up with an 18-5 record and reached the Western Conference Finals."

"So I don't want to suggest that their mentality is still stuck at the level of February," Windhorst concluded.

In the highly competitive Western Conference, the Suns have All-Star rosters Devin Booker, Durant and Bradley Beal, but failed to advance to the playoffs, and many expect the team to change drastically. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves felt the pressure from the Thunder's unprecedented strong impact, and they might be obsessed with bringing in a star against Oklahoma City's core roster.

"I asked the coach to tell me how fierce the competition in the Western Conference is, you might have to play a great season to exceed 50% of the winning rate," added Brian Windhorst. "And I've got the evidence that if the president renews his contract, he might go after a bigger goal."

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves need to upgrade?

ESPN's Tim Legler believes the Timberwolves need to upgrade their starting point guard. As the NBA world reacts to the end of the Timberwolves season, Legler shares his views on the Dan Patrick show.

"They need to solve their main defender position," Legler said. "I love Mike Conley; he's one of my favorite NBA players throughout his career and I'm a big fan. He's a leader; he's tough; he's great at Memphis, but he's at the peak of his career and can't create any additional offensive opportunities for the team."

It's going to be an interesting offseason for the Timberwolves.