The Oklahoma City Thunder reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years after decisively defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 on Wednesday. The Thunder’s defense stifled Minnesota early, holding three of the Wolves’ five starters to single digits and limiting the team to just nine points in the first quarter. By halftime, Minnesota had managed only 35 points, with Anthony Edwards contributing 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting.
Edwards, a young star expected to challenge the Thunder, fell short despite his reputation for outspoken confidence. Coming into the series, Edwards had helped eliminate top players such as LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, and Jimmy Butler. The Wolves had been strong in prior playoff rounds, suffering just two losses before facing OKC, who themselves had struggled through a tough seven-game series against Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets.
Minnesota’s Early Lead Fades as Thunder’s Defense Tightens
Although the Wolves had a four-day rest advantage before the series, their only lead came during the first half of Game 1. After that, the Thunder imposed tight defensive pressure for the remainder of the series. In the second half of the opening game, Minnesota was held to only 40 points, and during Game 5, the Thunder’s suffocating first-half defense once again held the Wolves to merely 35 points, deepening frustration among fans.
Guard Depth Concerns Loom for Timberwolves
Minnesota’s guard rotation outside of Anthony Edwards appears thin. The team has relied heavily on veteran Mike Conley, whose 18 years of experience provide stability but whose athletic ability has declined, limiting his effectiveness as a starter on a championship-caliber team. The Timberwolves clearly need to secure a long-term solution at point guard to strengthen their backcourt.
Trade Proposal for Darius Garland Surfaces After Wolves’ Blowout
NBA insider Tony Jones suggested a bold trade idea as a potential fix for the Wolves’ perimeter issues, proposing Minnesota consider trading Jaden McDaniels to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland. This deal might require Minnesota’s 2025 first-round pick as part of the package to entice Cleveland. Jones described the trade as a baseline proposal, urging fans of both teams to discuss the idea publicly.
“Minnesota fans. I was wrong. There is a trade out there that can help the Wolves next season. Baseline: Jaden McDaniels and the 17th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland. Just baseline. MInny/Cavs fans. Negotiate. What say you?” —Tony Jones, NBA Beat Writer
Analyzing Whether the Garland Trade Benefits Both Teams and Players
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland’s pairing as a backcourt duo has so far fallen short of expectations. While each guard has helped to win one playoff series in 2024 and 2025, their combination has faced difficulties, especially in the second round. Injuries partly explain their struggles, but the lack of size and defensive presence in the backcourt has also posed problems. The Indiana Pacers exploited this vulnerability by aggressively targeting both players during their victory over Cleveland.
Conversely, adding Jaden McDaniels to Cleveland’s frontcourt might be redundant, as the Cavaliers already boast a strong defensive lineup inside. Cleveland would likely prioritize a player who can contribute better perimeter defense and reliable shooting, qualities Garland can offer. Although McDaniels performed well earlier in the playoffs, his shooting faltered during the Conference Finals, diminishing his value as a consistent offensive threat.
McDaniels’ physical limitations became clear when trying to defend dynamic guards like Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, being too light and lacking the necessary speed. His recent performance—that included an 0-for-6 first quarter and finishing with only five points—raises concerns about his offensive consistency. For the trade to make sense on both ends, Minnesota would need McDaniels to show greater offensive output, and both teams might need to negotiate additional terms to balance the deal.
Potential Impact of Acquiring Darius Garland on Anthony Edwards and the Wolves
Bringing Darius Garland into Minnesota could dramatically shift the team’s dynamics, especially for Anthony Edwards. Garland’s ability to create plays and facilitate offense might lift the burden from Edwards, allowing him to maximize his scoring potential without handling primary playmaking duties. This could enable Edwards to focus more effectively on exploiting defenses instead of managing the offense.
Moreover, Garland’s strong guard defense would address one of Minnesota’s glaring weaknesses and help shore up the backcourt, potentially making the Wolves more competitive in future playoff runs. With veteran leadership fading, acquiring Garland might also represent a step toward building a younger, more balanced core, giving Minnesota a brighter outlook heading into the next season.
What Lies Ahead for the Wolves and Their Roster Decisions
The prospect of moving Jaden McDaniels and future draft picks for Darius Garland reflects the frustration with the Timberwolves’ current trajectory. As the team attempts to build around Anthony Edwards, a more capable point guard is essential to elevating their postseason success. Whether Minnesota’s management moves forward with such a trade remains to be seen, but the idea has already sparked debate among fans and analysts.
For the Cavaliers, acquiring a promising young wing like McDaniels and valuable draft capital fits a long-term rebuilding plan, though they would need to address how to compensate for the loss of Garland’s offensive production. Ultimately, any deal completed will hinge on detailed negotiations reflecting each team’s priorities and timelines.
The next NBA season could reveal if a Darius Garland trade idea for Anthony Edwards truly unleashes the young star’s full potential, or if Minnesota’s struggles will continue without significant changes in the backcourt.