It has flown somewhat under the radar, marketed as a move to clear space for Jonathan Kuminga’s contract; however, the fact that Cody Williams has packed his bags to leave Utah and land in Minnesota is for the Timberwolves far more than a mere piece in the Josh Green trade.
In an interview with Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News, the Timberwolves’ general manager, Matt Lloyd, analyzed the front office’s summer as a whole and, in particular, the case of the 21-year-old small forward, making clear that he is a piece that intrigued them especially.
Far from being a contract intended to equalize salaries, the Wolves’ executive notes that they were particularly impressed by the young wing’s performance in the closing stretch of the 2025-26 season, understanding that he could become a versatile forward capable of contributing a lot on defense.
«There’s a reason he was selected tenth in the draft. We’ll have the opportunity to see him here starting Tuesday (when most of the team is expected to report to Minnesota) and then we’ll watch him during the preseason to determine what role he can play,» he explains.
Cody Williams’ notable improvement
After a genuinely challenging rookie year, Williams rebounded in the 2025-26 season, posting 8.8 points per game (almost doubling his scoring) and averaging 3 rebounds and 2 assists. March and April were particularly encouraging, with both months averaging over 15 points and delivering up to six games above 20 points, including a 34-point performance against the Sacramento Kings. The Timberwolves are eager to see what kind of player he can become.
