ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has declared Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards his frontrunner to win the 2026-27 NBA MVP award. Perkins believes the offseason addition of LaMelo Ball will propel Edwards to new heights. The Wolves are riding a three-game winning streak, including a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 13, 2026.
Perkins has been vocal about his high expectations for Edwards. He previously called the Edwards-Ball pairing the best backcourt in the NBA after the trade in July. Now, he's taking that belief a step further. "I also believe he's going to win MVP this season," Perkins said. "LaMelo Ball is gonna impact Anthony Edwards in such a positive way that I got Anthony Edwards as my frontrunner going into this season as the MVP."
Edwards finished third in the NBA in scoring last season, averaging 28.8 points per game over 61 contests. Only Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored more. Ball's playmaking is seen as the perfect complement. Ball dished out 7.1 assists per game for Charlotte last season and led the league in made three-pointers. This should create more space and easier looks for Edwards, potentially boosting his efficiency.
The Timberwolves' current momentum supports the optimism. Their recent form shows three wins and two losses in their last five games, but they've won three straight. That run started with a 124-104 win over the Indiana Pacers on April 7, 2026. They followed that with a 136-132 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets on April 11 before the recent win over New Orleans.
This positive stretch comes after a couple of tough losses to the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets in early April. The team's ability to bounce back highlights its resilience.
While Perkins is bullish, Edwards himself has preached patience. He acknowledged that integrating a ball-dominant guard like LaMelo Ball will require an adjustment period. Both players are used to having the ball in their hands to create. Figuring out how to share those responsibilities and develop chemistry on the court won't happen overnight.
The Timberwolves have established themselves as a Western Conference power, reaching the Conference Finals twice in the last three seasons. They lost to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. Adding Ball and forward Jonathan Kuminga this summer has significantly raised the ceiling for this squad. The goal is clearly an NBA championship, and an MVP season from Edwards would be a massive step toward that.
Edwards' scoring prowess is undeniable. His athleticism and competitive fire make him a nightmare for defenders. With Ball potentially drawing defensive attention as a shooter and passer, Edwards could see fewer double-teams. This backcourt experiment is one of the most fascinating storylines heading into the new season. If it clicks as Perkins predicts, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be a formidable force.
