The Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers both spent the offseason trying to level up, but the matchup that matters most still tilts Minnesota’s way.
Minnesota’s move for LaMelo Ball changed the shape of its offense, while the Lakers responded with a massive roster overhaul after LeBron James’ departure, adding nine players and headlined by a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler. On paper, both teams addressed real needs. In practice, the same problem hangs over Los Angeles: there still isn’t enough on-ball defense to slow down Minnesota’s top creators.
That flaw showed up in the 2025 playoffs. Anthony Edwards had no real resistance on his way to a five-game series win, putting up 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.
Julius Randle carved up the Lakers too, averaging 22.6 points. Minnesota kept forcing the issue against Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and Los Angeles didn’t have the depth or defensive answer to change the story.
The Lakers tried to patch that hole this summer, but the options are shaky. They’re leaning on Mattise Thybulle, who brings defense but not much offense, Quentin Grimes, who is more tilted toward scoring, and rookie Cameron Carr to fill a glaring void.
Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia can help on opposing forwards, but the roster also lost its true defensive stopper in Marcus Smart. Against Ant-Man - and now LaMelo - that’s a dangerous mix.
The broader picture matters too. Minnesota and Los Angeles were both in the crowd fighting for the three through six seeds last season, and they’re projected to land in that same neighborhood again. That makes a playoff rematch next April very much in play.
And the Timberwolves have the kind of personnel that can make life miserable for the Lakers. Ball’s arrival adds even more pressure to opposing defenses, while Minnesota’s pace and athleticism should be a tough fit for a team that already struggles to defend the ball.
Jaden McDaniels gives the Wolves an elite on-ball option. Ayo Dosunmu and Edwards are solid at minimum.
With Ball in the mix, Edwards can spend more energy on the defensive end, which only strengthens Minnesota’s edge.
That’s the real separator here: perimeter defense. Minnesota’s is ferocious.
Los Angeles’ is shaky. In a head-to-head series, that gap matters.
The Lakers also have to worry about the rest of the Western Conference guard talent. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the back-to-back MVP, is one obvious problem.
So is the San Antonio Spurs’ three-headed guard monster of Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper. Jamal Murray could create headaches for the Lakers as well.
And even though Kevin Durant is a forward, Los Angeles doesn’t have a natural matchup for him either.
None of that makes the Lakers a bad team. It just means Minnesota’s advantage is still clear, and the Wolves are better set up to win the kind of matchup that could come again when the stakes rise.
In Other News...
Timberwolves Are Sending A Clear Message About Joan Beringer
The Timberwolves offseason has made the frontcourt picture a lot clearer around Rudy Gobert, and Joan Beringer is one of the main beneficiaries. After the roster reshuffle left the team thinner up front, the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is positioned to matter more than he did as a rookie, when his minutes were limited and his opportunities came in smaller bursts.
Chris Finch and the Wolves seem comfortable leaning into Beringers upside now, especially as a rim protector and energy piece off the bench. For a team that has already changed the mix around him, the next step is less about patience and more about whether Beringer can turn that trust into a real rotation role. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Edwards Faces A Bigger Timberwolves Challenge This Season
Anthony Edwards entered the summer with another reminder of how much the Timberwolves are asking him to do. In the Court of Gold documentary, Warriors and Team USA coach Steve Kerr pushed Edwards on a simple point that still carries real weight for Minnesota: if he wants to keep climbing, his rebounding has to climb with him. It is a fair challenge for a player whose energy and athleticism already shape so much of the Wolves identity, especially after the offseason changes around him.
Edwards has shown he can help on the glass when the game turns physical and he is locked in at both ends. The bigger question is whether Minnesota can get that version of him more consistently now that the roster has shifted and the offensive burden may not rest on his shoulders quite as heavily. If he uses that extra breathing room to stay engaged defensively, the rebounding piece could become a real separator for both him and the Wolves. [Read more 🡒]