Minnesota Timberwolves season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction
· Yahoo Sports
There’s something to be said about a team that understands a change, one potentially with risks, needs to happen.
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The alternative would be stagnation, and the Minnesota Timberwolves went into this offseason clearly determined to avoid that at all costs.
The focus was on generating more offensive creation and shot opportunities outside of All-NBA shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who has been the face of the franchise. So Minnesota traded away Julius Randle and Naz Reid in separate deals, both clearing up cap space and adding former Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, who will have to embrace efficiency in Minnesota.
Will that be enough for the Timberwolves to get over the hump?
Here's a breakdown of the Minnesota Timberwolves' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Minnesota Timberwolves offseason review
- Record last season: 49-33 (6th in Western Conference)
- Playoff finish: Eliminated in conference semifinals (2-4, against Spurs)
- Coach: Chris Finch (sixth season)
- 2026-27 title odds: +2500 (per BetMGM)
- Projected record: 55-27
- Offseason grade: B
Key roster additions
- G LaMelo Ball (trade)
- F Jonathan Kuminga (free agent signing)
- F Cody Williams (trade)
- F Trey Lyles (free agent signing)
- G Isaiah Evans (NBA draft)
Key roster losses
- F Julius Randle (trade)
- F Naz Reid (trade)
- G Mike Conley (free agency)
- F Kyle Anderson (free agency)
- G/F John Konchar (waived)
Biggest question entering training camp
How will LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga reshape Minnesota’s offense?
In the past three seasons, the Timberwolves have reached the conference finals twice. Last year, they failed to get out of the second round. Each time, the opposing team did the same thing: they threw extra bodies and double teams at Anthony Edwards, forcing him to be more of a facilitator than a pure scorer. Minnesota’s other players, however, could never generate enough offense to propel the Timberwolves through. Now, Edwards will have other outlets who can create offense, most notably LaMelo Ball, who should take over ball-handling duties. Ball can also create his own shot, though he was a high-volume option in Charlotte. Here, he’ll need to be more selective, and free agent addition Jonathan Kuminga is another threat who can slash to the rim. Both players are defensive liabilities, though the Timberwolves have enough in Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels to mask those deficiencies. The big question, however, lies on offense, and whether Ball and Kuminga (and guard Ayo Dosunmu, who shined in the playoffs) can take enough pressure off of Edwards.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
- G LaMelo Ball
- G Anthony Edwards
- F Jonathan Kuminga
- F Jaden McDaniels
- C Rudy Gobert
Rotation players
- G Ayo Dosunmu
- G Terrence Shannon Jr.
- F Joan Beringer
- G Donte DiVincenzo (injured)
- G Isaiah Evans
- G Bones Hyland
- F Cody Williams
- F Enrique Freeman
- C Rocco Zikarsky
- F Jaylen Clark
What to expect in 2026-27 season
A team taking chances to break through. Look for Minnesota to scheme up ways for LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu to get easy offense. In theory, that should allow Anthony Edwards to both conserve energy and pick his spots. Furthermore, if teams continue to double Edwards, that should give him plenty of viable options to knock down shots. Minnesota’s defense may take a bit of a step back, but an increase in shooting productivity makes the Timberwolves an interesting team to watch. But with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and other teams looming in the West, the path won’t be easy. The Timberwolves do deserve some credit, however, for understanding they needed to make tweaks to stay competitive, especially if they were unwilling to pay Julius Randle. One role that remains up for grabs is sixth man, where Naz Reid had shined. Could that become a spot for Dosunmu? Or, perhaps Kuminga, if he becomes a reserve? Either way, the Timberwolves will need a spark off the bench.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota Timberwolves season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction
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