Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 players who are unlikely to return next season

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 08: James Johnson #16 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Clippers by teammate Juan Hernangomez #41 during the first half of the game at Target Center on February 8, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 08: James Johnson #16 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Clippers by teammate Juan Hernangomez #41 during the first half of the game at Target Center on February 8, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Minnesota Timberwolves (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Minnesota Timberwolves (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves won the draft lottery, moving up in the lottery for the first time ever. So now where does the current roster go from here?

For being one of the worst teams in the league this season, the Minnesota Timberwolves had one of the most expensive rosters in the league. Paying $132.5 million to go 19-45 before the season was suspended is not what anybody should plan to do. But things are finally starting to turn around for this franchise.

No matter how you feel about Andrew Wiggins, a change of scenery was needed for both teams. Swapping him out for D’Angelo Russell in a blockbuster deal with the Golden State Warriors was a better fit for the roster and came as a way to appease the young face of the franchise, Karl-Anthony Towns.

So since that band-aid has been ripped off who are the most likely dominoes to fall next? Russell and Towns are the pieces for the future that this future number one pick will pair with to be the foundation for the next playoff-hopeful Timberwolves team. Those two will make a combined $58.1 million next year. Malik Beasley is an unrestricted free agent and looks like an important member of the future as well.

To make this roster affordable choices will need to be made. Some free agents will not be brought back. Making additional funds available beyond their projected cap space will be essential to afford the roster they want to have that is competitive but not a luxury tax anchor that would preclude the sale of this team is an attractive proposition. Bearing this in mind, there are three players who are highly unlikely to be back whenever next season begins for Minnesota.