Minnesota woke up 4-2 and seventh after beating the Clippers 127-101 in a Cup game, its first win since Anthony Edwards went down. The bigger news came off the floor: Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reported that the Wolves will not pick up Cody Williams' option.
A Decision About Money
Krawczynski reported that the club likes what it has seen from Williams, who is 21, and that the decision is about finances: Williams would have been owed more than $6 million next season. Payroll is $215.3 million against a $200.4 million tax line, so every dollar gets counted. Williams was one of the reserves who finished Friday's rout.
San Antonio, Again
Minnesota plays at San Antonio tonight, Oct. 31, on one day of rest. The Spurs are 3-2 and have won three in a row, the latest in overtime against Utah, according to ESPN. Victor Wembanyama is averaging 25.0 points and 11.4 rebounds, and Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are both above 17 points a game. Tobias Harris and Jayden Quaintance are out. This is the team that ended Minnesota's season 4-2 in last spring's conference semifinals. The Bucks come to town Nov. 2, and the Wolves play at Houston on Nov. 4.
Plus 23 in 17
Jaylen Clark played 17 minutes against the Clippers and finished plus 23, the best mark on the team. That one line makes the case for defense first. The Clippers never led by more than 3, and the group that closed the game put Clark alongside Ball, McDaniels, Dosunmu and Gobert, who grabbed 13 rebounds. The question is whether that unit holds up against Wembanyama, with Edwards not listed to return until Dec. 21.
Why are the Timberwolves declining Cody Williams' option?
Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reported that the reason is money, since Williams would have been owed more than $6 million next season. He also reported that the team has liked what it has seen from Williams.
When is Anthony Edwards expected back?
Edwards has a listed return date of Dec. 21, 2026. ESPN reported that his knee scope was successful.
