The Minnesota Timberwolves opted not to match the Memphis Grizzlies' offer sheet of $28 million for three years to restricted free agent point guard Tyus Jones, reportedly to prioritize their cap flexibility in hopes to partner Karl-Anthony Towns with a future star, according to Chris Hine of the Star Tribune.
The Wolves whiffed in acquiring D’Angelo Russell, despite coming inches from snagging him in free agency before the Golden State Warriors agreed to execute a sign-and-trade for the All-Star.
New team president Gersson Rosas has a goal to acquire elite-level talent to surround Towns with in the future, and that pursuit hasn't stopped with Russell:
Jones doesn’t match up with those plans. With that contract, Memphis viewed him as a main contributor and potential starter playing alongside No. 2 overall pick Ja Morant while the Wolves viewed Jones as a backup and weren’t willing to pay that kind of money, a source said, especially since the Wolves are restructuring the roster under Rosas.
While the Timberwolves might have lost immediate depth at the point guard position and limited the potential to trade Jeff Teague with a solid cog already in place, they have also avoided tying up a decent chunk of money to a player whose upside wouldn't be franchise-changing.
Rosas' intent is to give Towns a solid star to build a one-two punch with, and having the salary cap available to do so, whether it is through free agency or a trade, has proved pivotal in his vision.
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