Jamal Crawford likes what he sees in Minnesota, and the new Timberwolves backcourt is the reason why.
On the “Cousins” podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Crawford zeroed in on LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards as the pairing that could push the Timberwolves into a different tier in the West. He didn’t hide his enthusiasm for the fit.
“That T-Wolves thing got me excited, I can’t lie to you,” said Crawford. “I’m watching Melo and Ant-Man; they’re like kindred spirits.
You could tell they were fans of each other, too. I think they were around the same High School class, and you could tell their chemistry is something different.
I bet you they’re like ‘we’re gonna spend the rest of our career together.’ They are both fun, both bring an energy, both bring a spirit.
They have that respect for each other.”
Minnesota already had momentum before this summer. The Timberwolves reached the Conference Finals twice over the last three seasons and came close to breaking through to the NBA Finals. They still haven’t gotten over that last hurdle, but the roster changes around Edwards have given them another chance to make a leap.
The biggest addition is Ball, who joins Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels, with Josh Green also in the mix. Ball’s production last season - 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 40.7% - gives Minnesota a second high-level creator and, in Crawford’s view, a player whose style stands out immediately.
“Today, I’m gonna say LaMelo. Just his freedom, just how free he is,” said Crawford. “The way he pass, the way he smile on the court all the time His his flow…”
Edwards remains the centerpiece. The four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection is still the face of the franchise, but Ball is expected to handle a major share of the playmaking and ball-handling duties. That makes the chemistry between the two the swing factor, and Minnesota has already taken a step toward building it.
Reports say Edwards and Ball have arranged a private mini camp this summer so they can spend time together and learn each other’s game before the season starts. It’s a small move, but one that matters for a team trying to turn talent into something more lasting.
The Timberwolves didn’t land every marquee name they chased, including LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even so, the roster they’ve assembled gives them playoff experience, depth, and one of the league’s most dangerous backcourts. If they stay healthy, they’ll be right there in the title conversation.
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LaMelo Ball Could Unlock What Anthony Edwards Has Been Missing
The Timberwolves made a bold backcourt swing by bringing in LaMelo Ball, a move team president Tim Connelly is clearly willing to stand behind as Minnesota tries to position itself for a tougher climb in the Western Conference. The idea is straightforward enough: give Anthony Edwards a high-level creator next to him, someone who can ease some of the offensive burden and make the group harder to guard.
It is also the kind of trade that changes the shape of a roster right away, especially when a player like Ball is expected to bring a different kind of playmaking presence to Minnesotas attack. Connelly sees him as more than just another scorer, and the Timberwolves are banking on that fit to help unlock a backcourt that has been looking for another dynamic piece. [Read more 🡒]
Georges Niang Feels Like A Timberwolves Fit For One Big Reason
The Timberwolves search for help at power forward has been laid out plainly by Tim Connelly, who said the team is exploring free-agent options to shore up the position. In that conversation, Georges Niang stands out as the kind of player Minnesota can slot into a specific job rather than ask to carry more than he should. He has long fit the mold of a low-usage role player who can space the floor, keep the offense moving and hold his own enough defensively to stay on the court.
Niangs case gets even more interesting because his value has always come from knowing exactly what he is, not from piling up touches. Minnesota has a roster built around established options, which makes that fit appealing if the front office wants a veteran who can complement the core instead of competing with it. The one lingering issue is whether the Timberwolves are comfortable betting on a player trying to reestablish himself after missing all of last season. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Face A Jonathan Kuminga Reality They May Not Like
Jonathan Kumingas free-agency market has settled into a much different shape than it did when his team option was first declined. What looked like a broad chase has narrowed considerably, with the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks fading from the picture and only a handful of teams still seriously tied to him. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, that keeps the forward on the radar as they look at ways to add more talent and versatility without losing sight of the fit around their current core.
Kumingas ask is the part that keeps this from being a simple talent grab. He is reportedly seeking a deal worth at least $20 million per year, along with a meaningful role wherever he lands, which means any team still in the mix has to view him as more than a depth addition. Minnesota can see the appeal, but the price tag and the on-court responsibilities he wants make this a situation to watch closely as the market continues to sort itself out. [Read more 🡒]