The Minnesota Timberwolves are headed into the season with a roster that has people talking, and not always in the same tone. Trading for LaMelo Ball and signing Jonathan Kuminga has made this a polarizing group, but it has also made Minnesota one of the most watchable teams in the league.
That view isn’t just coming from fans. In the NBA’s annual GM survey, the Wolves were tied with the San Antonio Spurs as the most fun team to watch.
That’s strong company, especially when the other team is led by a 7-foot-4 Alien coming off an NBA Finals appearance. However you want to slice it, that’s a sign Minnesota has captured real league-wide attention.
Anthony Edwards is still the engine behind all of it. He’s one of the league’s most electric stars, the kind of player who can fill a highlight reel with dunks, tough makes, big 3s, and pure competitive fire. He’s already raised the Timberwolves’ profile and given them a level of mainstream appeal they haven’t always had.
The issue last season was what came after Edwards. Too often, Minnesota’s offense bogged down when he didn’t have enough creation around him.
That’s where Ball changes the conversation. He gives the Wolves another dynamic ballhandler, another scoring threat on the perimeter, and another player who can make the whole thing flow.
Even if the pairing of Ant and LaMelo still feels like a question mark, it’s an easy duo to want to see in action. There’s volatility here, sure, but there’s also real upside because the roster now fits Edwards better.
Ball should bring more shooting and playmaking to the mix, and that opens the door for a more chaotic, entertaining style. The article even suggests Minnesota could flirt with a Lob City 2.0 feel while also tapping into some of the shooting that made the Splash Brothers so fun to watch. Put simply: dunks and 3s travel well.
Tempo should be part of the package, too. Minnesota ranked 10th in pace last season, and that number is expected to climb with Ball, Kuminga, and Julius Randle out. A faster Wolves team would be harder to predict and a lot more fun to watch from possession to possession.
Jaden McDaniels is another reason the Wolves have become appointment viewing. He took a step forward offensively last year, and Ball’s playmaking could help keep that growth moving.
Plenty of fans got a taste of his confidence and shot-making in the playoffs. He may not have the same star wattage as Edwards or Ball, but a near 7-foot wing who can create tough shots and defend opposing stars brings a different kind of excitement.
In Other News...
Wolves Already Have A LaMelo Problem Teams Will Try To Exploit
LaMelo Ball has already been getting a taste of what awaits once the games start counting, and it has not been especially gentle. In recent preseason action, Mikal Bridges and Ausar Thompson both leaned into the kind of physical, on-ball pressure that can make a gifted playmaker work for every inch, and the early returns have been modest enough to keep the conversation going. For Minnesota, it is the sort of matchup detail worth watching closely because Balls touch and creativity are obvious, but so is the challenge that comes when defenders crowd him before he can get comfortable.
His slight frame and occasional trouble finishing through contact are the parts opponents will circle on the scouting report, and there are teams equipped to do something about it. San Antonio and Oklahoma City, in particular, have the kind of length and athleticism that can turn aggressive defense into a night-long problem, and the Wolves know how quickly a talented ballhandler can be pushed off rhythm when pressure keeps coming. The question now is not whether teams will try it, but how often Ball can answer once the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Dress Rehearsal Exposed A Problem Fans Cant Ignore
The Timberwolves got most of their regular rotation work in Tuesday nights preseason loss to Detroit, and the early returns offered both encouragement and a few familiar warning signs. Minnesota came out with some offensive rhythm before things unraveled, as turnovers piled up and the Pistons repeatedly found clean looks on the perimeter and in the paint.
For a team trying to sharpen its identity before the games start counting, the defensive slippage was hard to ignore. Detroit shot 57% from the field and dictated too much of the action inside, while Minnesotas core pieces, including Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, had uneven stretches on both ends. It was the sort of dress rehearsal that can still be useful, but it also left a problem the Wolves will need to clean up fast. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kuminga Gave The Timberwolves Something To Feel Better About
The Timberwolves left a preseason loss to Detroit with more questions than answers on the scoreboard, but Jonathan Kuminga gave them a reason to feel better about where this group can go. In his first stretch with Minnesota after signing a two-year deal, Kuminga scored 16 points on efficient shooting and showed the kind of pace and directness the team wants from him on both ends.
Chris Finch singled out Kumingas quick decision-making, a promising sign for a player still settling into a new role with a new club. Minnesota will need that adjustment to keep moving in the right direction, especially with Kuminga expected to be one of the key starters, and the preseason is already offering an early look at how much his blend of speed and simplicity can matter. [Read more 🡒]