LaMelo Ball’s arrival gives Anthony Edwards a cleaner path to the kind of all-around impact the Timberwolves have wanted from him.
Edwards has already carried a massive load in Minnesota, often without the kind of second creator or high-end playmaking partner that makes life easier for a star scorer. Ball changes that dynamic, and the biggest difference may show up in three places: his shot diet, his scoring efficiency, and his energy on defense.
The most obvious boost comes from the 3-point line. Edwards is already a strong shooter, but Minnesota’s lack of creation has kept his catch-and-shoot game from being used nearly enough.
Last season, he hit 47.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s, but he did it on only 2.3 attempts. For a player with that level of shooting ability, that volume is surprisingly low.
Ball’s passing and ability to shoulder more of the ball-handling burden should push those looks up in a major way. We already saw Ball help open things up for Kon Knueppel’s shooting, and the same kind of lift should make Edwards a more versatile, less predictable scorer.
That extra playmaking should help everywhere, not just from deep. Ball can spring Edwards in transition, set him up attacking closeouts, and find him when he slips into space as a cutter.
Even with Edwards posting strong efficiency last season, the shots he was taking were often tough ones. Basketball Index had him in the 20th percentile for shot quality.
That’s the kind of number that should improve if Ball is consistently creating easier opportunities. More clean looks from outside and better chances at the rim or on the move could take Edwards’ scoring to another level.
There’s also a defensive ripple effect here. Yes, Ball’s defense is a fair question, and yes, he could add some work on that end for Edwards.
But the bigger issue is what happens when Edwards doesn’t have to spend as much energy carrying the offense. Last season was arguably the worst defensive year of his career.
He got back-cut too often, had trouble fighting through screens, and didn’t rotate well. Minnesota was 5.7 points per 100 possessions worse defensively with him on the floor.
That’s not just a matter of effort; it’s also what happens when a player is stretched too thin.
Edwards has the physical tools to be much better than that. His athleticism, length, and strength give him a real defensive ceiling, and he’s flashed it in big moments, especially when matched up on the ball.
He doesn’t need to become a nightly lockdown stopper or pile up steals. He just needs to stay engaged and make a consistent impact.
If Ball lightens the load on offense, that becomes much more realistic.
Put it all together, and Ball gives Edwards a better shot at becoming the fully formed version of himself on both ends of the floor.
In Other News...
Timberwolves Nearly Landed A True Star In Aggressive Summer Push
The Timberwolves spent the summer pushing hard to reshape the roster, first announcing the signing of forward Jonathan Kuminga, who will wear No. 24, and then swinging a pre-draft trade for LaMelo Ball. It was the kind of aggressive run at talent that signaled Minnesota was willing to think bigger than a routine roster tweak, especially with the Western Conference continuing to reward teams that can add high-end skill in a hurry.
And according to ESPNs Shams Charania, that push reached all the way into the leagues top tier of available names, with Minnesota among the teams showing interest in a future Hall of Fame-level target. The pursuit did not end with the Wolves getting their man, and the stars eventual destination was shaped by the fallout from an NBA investigation into the Clippers salary cap practices, leaving Minnesota with the kind of near miss that can linger when a front office is hunting at that level. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kuminga Is Now Pushing Back On A Warriors Contract Claim
Jonathan Kumingas contract situation has taken another twist, and it only adds to the sense that the messaging around his future has been anything but clear. The latest wrinkle came through a text sent to Darren Moore, Lonzo Balls manager, in which Kuminga denied turning down any contract offers at all, pushing back against the idea that he had passed on money already on the table.
That directly complicates the earlier picture painted by his agent, Aaron Turner, who had said Kuminga declined higher-value offers and pointed to interest from the Warriors and Lakers. For a player whose next move is already a prominent talking point, the disagreement between the public reporting and the representation around him leaves the real shape of those conversations very much in question. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Face One Big Risk With This New-Look Roster
The Timberwolves look a lot different than they did a year ago, and thats by design. After trading for LaMelo Ball and shifting Anthony Edwards back to shooting guard, Minnesota also watched Mike Conley, Joe Ingles and Kyle Anderson depart in free agency, leaving a younger core to shoulder more of the day-to-day responsibility as the franchise retools around its emerging talent.
Chris Finch knows the upside is obvious, but he also knows the margin for error is thinner. With the Western Conference still as demanding as ever, the Wolves have to sort out chemistry and establish an identity quickly, because a roster built this way can be lively and dangerous but also come with more volatility while the new pieces settle in. [Read more 🡒]