RealGM Basketball Wiretap

19 November 2025

• NBA Reviews Wolves Owners' Involvement In Sports Betting Prediction Market

  The NBA is reviewing Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez over their involvement in Mojo Interactive, a startup that has begun trading on sports outcomes through prediction market exchange Kalshi. The review comes as the league deals with fallout from a federal probe into player and coach involvement in sports gambling, according to Bloomberg.

  Mojo began trading event contracts tied to sports during the NFL season this fall. The company has not yet traded on any NBA games, CEO Vinit Bharara said in an interview.

  An NBA spokesperson confirmed the league is reviewing the arrangement to verify compliance with applicable rules. NBA team and league personnel are prohibited from trading NBA or WNBA contracts on any prediction market platform.

  "We understand Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx team owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez each hold minority interests in Mojo, and are not involved in any day-to-day company operations," the spokesperson said. "We are reviewing this arrangement to verify compliance with applicable league rules."

  Lore and Rodriguez said through a spokesperson they "remain in full compliance with the NBA's policy as defined and have communicated with the league in keeping with their responsibilities as owners."

  The league allows owners to stake in betting companies if they do not personally oversee operations tied to NBA wagers. Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta owns Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos. Dallas Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont serves as president and COO of Las Vegas Sands.

  Prediction markets represent uncharted territory for sports leagues because they are regulated differently than traditional betting. While leagues have longstanding relationships with gambling companies and state gaming agencies, they are still developing relationships with exchanges like Kalshi and Polymarket, which are overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

  Kalshi prohibits NBA owners from trading on league games. The exchange said Mojo is subject to federally-regulated surveillance systems and prohibited from using material nonpublic information.

  Lore and Rodriguez co-founded Mojo with Bharara in 2021. The company was originally licensed as an online sportsbook in New Jersey in 2022 but shut down that operation the following year. Its main business now provides risk management and pricing services to sportsbooks.

  Lore and Rodriguez gained control of the Timberwolves and Lynx earlier this year after a protracted legal dispute.

• Terrence Shannon Jr. To Be Re-Evaluated In 1 Week With Bruised Foot

  Terrence Shannon Jr. was diagnosed with a bruised metatarsal bone in his left foot, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced on Friday.

  Shannon was be re-evaluated in one week.

  Shannon is averaging 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds on the year.

• Luka Garza Led NBA In Tracked Practice Shots Last Season

  Luka Garza attempted more practice shots than any NBA player last season despite receiving minimal playing time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to data from Noah Basketball, a tracking service used by most NBA teams.

  Frank Garza told CelticsBlog on Monday that his son attempted approximately 42,000 shots in practice and shootarounds last season, roughly 12,000 more than the next closest player. The center played fewer than 210 minutes during the 2024-25 season with Minnesota.

  The Boston Celtics signed Garza to a two-year deal in July after general manager Brad Stevens identified him as a "stats darling" with untapped potential. Stevens had monitored Garza from afar despite his limited NBA opportunities.

  "I just had to believe someone was paying attention," Frank Garza said. "And of course, it was Brad Stevens."

  Garza has transformed his body since college, reducing his body fat from 15% to 6% and dropping from 270 to 245 pounds. The Iowa product was named National Player of the Year in 2021 but fell to the 52nd pick in the draft due to athleticism concerns.

  The 6'10" center is averaging 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game this season, marking the largest role of his NBA career. He posted 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in Sunday's victory over Orlando.

  Advanced metrics supported Garza's work ethic last season, as he drew more charges per possession than any player in the league. His per-36-minute averages of 22 points and 8.2 rebounds caught Boston's attention.

  "For me to be out there at the end, closing the game-I haven't had too many opportunities to do that in my career," Garza said after Sunday's performance.

• Timberwolves Have Touched Base With Grizzlies About Ja Morant

  The Minnesota Timberwolves have had issues at the point guard position this season. That has the Wolves looking for potential options to take some playmaking pressure off Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. One of those options could be Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

  Minnesota has checked in with Memphis on Morant's availability, according to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski.

  "They're testing the waters a little bit. I don't get the sense that there's anything real close," Krawczynski said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. "I do think that, if we get to late December and the Wolves are still treading water and that point guard position still has not solidified...I do think that they could explore at least looking harder at Ja Morant."

  Trading for Morant could be challenging for Minnesota, as the Timberwolves are well above the luxury tax and first apron. That means that the Wolves are limited to sending out less salary, or matching dollar for dollar, in a trade.

• Karl-Anthony Towns 'Still Stunned' By Trade To Knicks, Admits Facing Wolves 'Weird'

  Karl-Anthony Towns said he remains shocked by his trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks one year after the blockbuster deal. The Knicks big man made the admission following Wednesday's 137-114 victory over his former team at Madison Square Garden.

  "I'm still stunned, I mean, I'm still stunned. It's weird," Towns said after the game.

  Towns spent nine seasons with the Timberwolves before being traded to New York on the eve of last season's training camp. The deal sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Towns.

  "I feel more like a Knick now after everything we went through last year, but it's weird to see that Wolves jersey -- especially the fire black one -- and not see 'Towns' on the back of it," Towns said.

  The trade shocked many observers because Minnesota had just reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. Towns appeared to be a cornerstone alongside Anthony Edwards for the resurgent franchise.

  Towns admitted he nearly referred to the Timberwolves as "we" during his postgame interview, revealing the deep connection he maintains with the organization.

  "Built something special there," Towns said. "It's different when you're in process and now you're going against the process. They're a great team. To see what they're doing right now, special, and I expect nothing less than greatness from them."

  Towns remains in frequent contact with his former teammates, communicating "every day, if not every other day." He noted that many plays once designed for him now go to former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid.

  "It's always great when you see your brothers," Towns said. "Ant, becoming the face of the league. Me and Rudy [Gobert], years and years of battles against each other, turning teammates, having a close bond. It was really good to compete against my brothers. It's deeper than basketball. It's family."

  Towns recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 31 minutes. He had memorable plays including backing down Edwards for a dunk and another over Gobert.

  Randle performed well in his return to Madison Square Garden, posting 32 points, five rebounds and four assists in the loss.

  "Man, he dunked on me today," Edwards said. "I didn't jump, though. But yeah, he backed me down. But he's strong as hell. And he's 7 feet tall."

• Timberwolves, Kings Monitoring Ja Morant Situation; Rockets Unlikely To Get Involved

  NBA teams have taken notice of Ja Morant's unhappiness with the Memphis Grizzlies. While no one is suggesting a trade is close, a handful of teams are keeping tabs on where things go for Morant and the Grizzlies.

  The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are both potentially interested if the Memphis star point guard becomes available via trade.

  The Timberwolves haven't found a long-term lead ballhandler to pair with Anthony Edwards in their backcourt. Mike Conley is nearing the end of his long career, and second-year guard Rob Dillingham has a way to go before he'll be ready to start. The challenge for Minnesota is that they are barely under the second apron, and they don't have a lot of tradable assets in the form of draft picks or young talent.

  Sacramento has regularly pursued stars when they become available. The Kings traded for Zach LaVine last season, after previously acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade. Sacramento could offer back a point guard, plus matching salary in a trade offer for Morant.

  The Houston Rockets are unlikely to make a bid for Morant. Houston is without starting point guard Fred VanVleet but has a rising payroll after extending Kevin Durant and others recently.

• Anthony Edwards Cleared For Basketball Activities In Hamstring Rehab

  Anthony Edwards has been cleared for contact basketball activities. Edwards suffered a right hamstring strain on Sunday, Oct. 26 during the Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers game.

  Edwards' game availability will remain as out as he continues to progress through his return-to-play rehabilitation program.

  In three games, Edwards is averaging 25.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 25.7 minutes.

  Edwards has played in no fewer than 72 games during the first six seasons of his career and in 79 games each of the past three seasons as one of the NBA's more durable stars.

• Anthony Edwards Out Two Weeks With Hamstring Strain

  Anthony Edwards will be out at least two weeks with a right hamstring strain. Edwards suffered the injury during the first half of the Minnesota Timberwolves' 114-110 win over the Indiana Pacers.

  Edwards suffered the injury after converting a layup on a fast break just over three minutes into the game.

  Edwards has played in 426 out of a possible 445 games in his NBA career as one of the league's more durable stars.

• Anthony Edwards Leaves Game With Hamstring Injury

  Anthony Edwards left the Minnesota Timberwolves' 114-110 win over the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter due to hamstring tightness.

  Edwards suffered the injury after converting a layup on a fast break just over three minutes into the game.

  Edwards had five points and one rebound at the time of his injury.

• Anthony Edwards Chases 'Unstoppable' Status With Midrange Offseason Work

  Anthony Edwards told The Athletic he spent the offseason pursuing what he calls "unstoppable" status. Edwards worked extensively on his midrange game after the Minnesota Timberwolves lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. Edwards believes becoming more versatile on offense will help him reach the level of peers like Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

  "Unstoppable," Edwards said. "As long as I can get to that point, I'm good."

  Edwards averaged 27.6 points last season while shooting 39.5 percent on 10 three-pointers per game. However, he shot just 36 percent on two-pointers outside the paint, limiting his intermediate options when defenses close off his three-ball and driving lanes.

  "All I want them to say is we couldn't guard him," Edwards said. "We. Could. Not. Guard. Shawty."

  After the Mavericks beat the Wolves behind Kyrie Irving and Dončić's versatile scoring in 2024, Edwards spent that summer improving his three-point shot. Last season, Oklahoma City's defense hounded his perimeter shooting and limited his impact by forcing midrange work.

  Edwards responded by specifically targeting his intermediate game during this offseason. He consulted with Michael Jordan about post footwork to develop a reliable fall-away jumper for late-game situations.

  "We got our ass kicked all around the board," Edwards said. "I think we're going to be pretty good this year."

  Mike Conley told Edwards that winning a championship requires elite perimeter defense. The message reflected the Timberwolves' organizational push for Edwards to excel on both ends of the floor.

  Rudy Gobert praised Edwards' improved conditioning and physical preparation. Assistant coach Chris Hines noted Edwards' obsessive focus on detail and film study this summer.

  "He wants to be Jordan-esque, Larry Bird-esque, Magic Johnson-esque," Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez said. "He knows the responsibility he has on his shoulders to put people around him."

  Edwards believes his basketball confidence is stronger than his natural athletic ability because he earned it through work rather than physical gifts alone. At 24, he is entering the age when Jordan won his first MVP and Dončić reached the Finals.