May 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half during game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
May 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half during game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards has firmly established himself as the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves. As one of the best young players in the NBA today, Edwards is expected to transform the Timberwolves into a title-contending franchise. But even though the Wolves have been competitive thus far, it appears the team may need to pump the brakes on title aspirations for the time being.
Over the last few years, Minnesota has been one of the best teams in the Western Conference. After two consecutive WCF appearances, however, the Wolves unraveled in this year’s playoffs, suffering a second-round exit after losing to the San Antonio Spurs. Needless to say, this triggered some significant roster changes in the offseason.
Although the Timberwolves’ decision to pair Anthony Edwards with a co-star in LaMelo Ball hints at a brighter future, the 25-year-old is cognizant of Minnesota’s current position. While speaking with ESPN’s Rob Andrew Dongiapon, Edwards discussed the team’s outlook on title contention, stating:
“It would mean a lot [to win a championship]… But right now, I don’t think we’re thinking about winning the championship. It’s step by step. We got LaMelo, a new player, and a bunch of new pieces. So, we are just trying to build it together, and I think we’re trying to gel it all together.”
In many ways, Anthony Edwards’ approach to the topic is quite mature. By bringing in a dynamic playmaker like Ball, the Wolves have provided their superstar with more support. But with several significant roster moves, Minnesota must prioritize building chemistry before shifting their gaze toward the NBA title.
As a relatively new roster, the Timberwolves are bound to experience some growing pains. However, despite these changes, Anthony Edwards remained confident in the team’s ability to compete against some of the best in the West, as he added:
“Against those two teams, I think we’re going to beat them.”
In this context, Edwards is referring to the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are largely viewed as the favorites to make it out of the Western Conference in the upcoming season.
Even after being forced to make some tough roster moves this offseason, the Thunder’s title-winning core remains a threat to Minnesota’s campaign. By the same token, the Spurs boast one of the best young cores in the NBA, ensuring they will contend for years to come.
In many ways, facing either team in any capacity will be a challenging prospect for Anthony Edwards and the Wolves. But with the arrival of another star-caliber guard, Edwards may find himself in a better position to help his team compete.
Edwards was impactful last season, averaging 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 48.9% shooting from the field and 39.9% from three-point range.
Although he showcased notable individual improvement, the Wolves’ superstar was playing in a relatively restricted role. Thus, by acquiring Ball and re-signing Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota has addressed their playmaking depth issues, effectively allowing Edwards to embrace the role he is familiar with.
Overall, the Timberwolves’ prospects for the upcoming season are quite intriguing. With some solid pieces on paper, the franchise could even be considered a dark horse in the West.
While promising enough, the core also appears committed to Minnesota’s potential, as Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball sponsored the team’s preseason training in France. With the Wolves fast-tracking the chemistry-building process, it will be interesting to see how it pays off in the early days of the new campaign.