2026-27 Season Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards welcome LaMelo Ball to the roster this season.

Offseason Recap

•

Last Season

: 49-33 (6th in West, lost in conference semifinals)

• Key Additions

: LaMelo Ball, Isaiah Evans, Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Lyles, Cody Williams

Every Timberwolves move this offseason

Season Outlook

If desperation and boldness were a sure-fire formula for winning, Minnesota would rank at or near the top of title contenders in 2026-27. After winning just two playoff series in the franchise’s first 34 years, they have won five in the past three. And in Tim Connelly, the team’s president of basketball operations, the Timberwolves have an executive willing to swing from the heels to serve his vision. After trying the twin-tower concept by acquiring Rudy Gobert in 2022 to team with Karl-Anthony Towns, he went big again this offseason,

trading Naz Reid and Julius Randle

in a 5-team deal for polarizing point guard LaMelo Ball.

Ball is a professional playmaker who stayed healthy and helped Charlotte to a breakthrough season, and in terms of career sweet spots, he is perfectly in sync with star Anthony Edwards. Both are 25, in their early primes, to keep hope alive that the Wolves can break through one postseason soon. Beginning next spring.

Connelly tried to top himself by wooing LeBron James, but had to settle for plugging the power forward spot with Jonathan Kuminga. He had touted Jaden McDaniels’ on-ball defense and Gobert’s rim protection as attributes to ease James’ workload. The veteran didn’t bite, but those two remain, allowing coach Chris Finch to sleep most nights.

Breakout Candidate: Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga, believe it or not, is already a five-year veteran, but he’s still searching for a comfortable NBA home and a true identity as a pro. He struggled to find a consistent role in Golden State, and he didn’t get much traction in Atlanta last season either (the Hawks declined their team option). His skills are obvious – he has averaged 12.5 points in 22.1 minutes, so he’s at 20.3 points per 36. But the Wolves mostly want him to rebound and defend in plugging their considerable need at power forward. Kuminga, effectively playing for his next contract after turning down the Lakers’ three-year offer, faces a decision: keep trying to showcase his individual talents or do what Minnesota needs for the best team result to boost his reputation.

1 Number To Know

49.6% —

Edwards shot 69-for-139 (49.6%) on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, the best mark among 308 players with at least 75 catch-and-shoot attempts last season and much better than he shot (35.3%) on pull-up 3s.

But only 27% of Edwards’ 3-point attempts were off the catch, with that being the fourth-lowest rate among 307 players with at least 100 total attempts. Edwards has seen a jump in his time of possession every year he’s been in the league, with the jump from 2024-25 (16% of his time on the floor) to ’25-26 (20%) being the largest he’s seen. The ball has increasingly been in his hands and he’s increasingly shot more off the dribble.

Ball is here to reverse that trend, have Edwards shooting more off the catch, and make the Wolves’ star a more efficient scorer.

— John Schuhmann

5 Must-See Matchups

• Oct. 21: Timberwolves vs. Heat —

It’s opening night for teams with two of the biggest offseason acquisitions (outside of Philadelphia). Giannis Antetokounmpo makes his Miami debut, while Minnesota counters with Ball.

• Oct. 31: Timberwolves vs. Spurs —

The sting of last spring’s

elimination in six games

remains – three of those defeats were decided by 29+ points – and it’s never too early to face the reality that where Minnesota wants to go, it will need to go through San Antonio.

• Dec. 27: Timberwolves vs. Golden State —

The first clash comes Oct. 28, too soon to know Kuminga’s place in the Wolves’ eventual pecking order. But this one back in the Warriors’ building could give him a chance for a little payback to his original team.

• Dec. 31: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves —

The two nemeses meet on Dec. 28 in Denver, but that’s the tail end of back-to-backs for both teams. This late-afternoon game before a feisty Minnesota crowd should be more raucous.

• Jan. 29: Hornets vs. Timberwolves —

More than three months will have passed before Ball gets to face the team that traded him. Reid will get a video tribute, so Ball will be in the spotlight for turning the night in Minnesota’s direction.

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Complete Regular Season Schedule

Preseason Storylines

Ball’s arrival gives the Timberwolves one of the NBA’s most exciting backcourts, teaming him with fellow

Class of 2020

All-Star Edwards. Ball is a highlight-reel passer and a daring shot-taker when he seeks out his own offense, while Edwards should thrive in getting off the ball after covering for Minnesota’s thin point guard options. Slipping back into his potent scoring guard role could make him a favorite to chase his first scoring title.

More of Jaden McDaniels’ game emerges every season, and a concerted effort to have him flourish offensively should get a boost from Ball’s delivery of the basketball. The lanky, laconic defensive specialist continues as the choice against high-scoring opponents.

Donte DiVincenzo’s Achilles absence opens minutes for a variety of reserves, from Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. to Jaylen Clark and former lottery pick Cody Williams.

Complete Preseason Schedule

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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him

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