The Minnesota Timberwolves, led by All-Star guard Anthony Edwards, overcame significant challenges in last season’s NBA Playoffs — defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round and the Golden State Warriors in the second. However, their run came to an end in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Still seeking their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals, the Timberwolves appear to be making strategic moves in free agency to strengthen the roster and push beyond the conference finals, where they’ve fallen in each of the past two seasons.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that free-agent guard Johnny Juzang has agreed to a one-year deal with Minnesota. “Free agent guard Johnny Juzang has agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. Juzang played his first three NBA seasons in Utah and averaged 8.9 points and 38% 3-point shooting in 19.8 minutes per game in 2024-25,” Charania reported on X (formerly Twitter).
During the 2024-25 season with the Utah Jazz, Juzang appeared in 64 games — including 18 starts — and posted career highs of 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc on nearly five attempts per contest in roughly 19 minutes per night.
However, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic clarified that Juzang’s deal is a training camp contract, giving him an opportunity to fight for a roster spot rather than guaranteeing a place on the team. Krawczynski added that Minnesota is still exploring additional backcourt options and mentioned Bones Hyland as a potential target.
“Juzang’s deal with the Wolves is going to be a camp deal. They will still consider more experienced guards. One name that hasn’t been discussed as much publicly: Bones Hyland. Still think there’s a possibility there,” Krawczynski wrote on his X account.
The Timberwolves’ moves don’t stop there. Charania also reported that the team is set to sign forward Enrique Freeman — who shined in the NBA Summer League with the Indiana Pacers — to a two-way contract.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves are signing forward Enrique Freeman on a two-way NBA contract, agents Keith Kreiter and Sam Cipriano of Edge Sports tell ESPN. The Pacers’ 2024 second-rounder had a strong summer league, averaging 16.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 56% on 3s,” Charania wrote.
These recent signings suggest Minnesota may be prioritizing young, developmental talent rather than pursuing high-profile free agents. The strategy appears aimed at building depth and fostering competition in training camp ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.