Northwest Roundup: Presti on Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Injury Puzzle, Towns Trade Revisited, Wolves Unveil Retro Look
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Oklahoma City, Denver, Minneapolis — Several key storylines emerged around the NBA’s Northwest Division as executives, players and owners addressed the media this week.
Presti defends Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul drawing
Thunder general manager Sam Presti, speaking in his end-of-season exit interview, spent considerable time countering accusations that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander relies on embellishment to reach the free-throw line.
“He’s playing against six people,” Presti said. “He’s got five defenders, and the sixth defender is social media.”
Presti also criticized coaches who, in his view, use postgame press conferences to sway officials. “The postgame press conference has turned into the bully pulpit to create competitive advantage,” he added, noting that such sessions once focused strictly on a coach’s own team.
Nuggets seek answers for persistent injuries
Since capturing the 2023 championship, the Nuggets have failed to return to the Western Conference finals, a slide tied in part to a mounting injury list. In an interview with the Denver Gazette, medical researcher Robert Weissfeld told columnist Mark Kiszla that lingering muscular weakness often follows trauma.
“The problem is not in the muscles themselves,” Weissfeld explained. “The deficit is the signals reaching the muscles from the brain. Like turning on a light with its dimmer switch set too low, the muscles receive insufficient current to activate them normally.”
Weissfeld believes restoring proper muscle function could benefit frequently sidelined players such as Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson and Christian Braun.
Towns shines in New York, Wolves weigh the past
With the Knicks holding a 2-1 NBA Finals edge, former Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has sparked debate over whether Minnesota erred in trading him. According to the Star Tribune, the move was designed to create roster flexibility around centerpiece Anthony Edwards after the costly acquisition of Rudy Gobert.
Had Towns remained, forward Naz Reid likely would not have re-signed, and wing Jaden McDaniels might also have departed. Columnist Chris Hine wrote that Minnesota ownership appeared unwilling to pay the luxury-tax premiums needed to keep all three high-salary stars.
Timberwolves unveil Garnett-era inspired look
New owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore revealed the Timberwolves’ uniforms and court design for the 2026-27 season, embracing a retro aesthetic reminiscent of Kevin Garnett’s tenure.
“The team is the fans’ team,” Rodriguez said. “This is what the fans wanted.” Chief marketing officer Mike Grahl added that the organization aimed to honor the past while “driving something new toward the future.”
The updated look will debut on opening night this fall.
Source: Hoops Rumors
