The Minnesota Timberwolves are building momentum for the 2026-27 NBA season, entering the preseason on a three-game winning streak capped by a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 13. After a second-round playoff exit last season, the franchise has aggressively retooled its roster and coaching staff, aiming to convert regular-season promise into a deeper postseason run.
The Wolves' most significant move was acquiring All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. Ball's elite playmaking and shooting should immediately elevate an offense that often relied too heavily on Anthony Edwards creating everything. To get Ball, Minnesota parted with valuable big man Naz Reid, a trade that created a clear need at power forward.
They addressed that by signing Jonathan Kuminga, a high-upside forward betting on himself with a contender. Head coach Chris Finch indicated he's ready to let the young core lead, a shift showed by the departures of veterans Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and Joe Ingles. The front office also ended the Julius Randle experiment early, trading him to Brooklyn for financial flexibility.
Minnesota's bench has a new look. Former lead assistant Micah Nori earned a well-deserved head coaching job with the Portland Trail Blazers. To fill the void, the organization hired Daniel Brady as a new assistant coach. This fresh perspective alongside Finch could help optimize the new roster's fit, particularly in integrating Ball's unique skills with Edwards' dominant scoring.
Player development remains a major focus. The team is hoping for a leap from young French center Joan Beringer and anxiously awaits the return of guard Donte DiVincenzo from an Achilles injury. Adding Duke's Isaiah Evans in the draft provides more stretch-four depth for the rotation.
After finishing 49-33 and as the sixth seed for two consecutive years, the front office has shown it's serious about contending now. With Ball orchestrating the offense and Edwards freed up to operate off the ball, the ceiling is significantly higher. A best-case prediction sees the Wolves challenging for a top-three seed in the West with a record around 56-26.
Recent form suggests the team is finding a groove. Before the win over New Orleans, they edged the Houston Rockets 136-132 on April 11 and dominated the Indiana Pacers 124-104 on April 7. The core is intact, and the new additions address last season's fatal flaws: a lack of playmaking and exploitable depth.
Integrating a ball-dominant star like LaMelo Ball always carries risk. Finding the right balance with Anthony Edwards, who has carried the offensive load for years, will be Finch's primary tactical puzzle. The loss of Naz Reid's scoring and energy off the bench is not insignificant, placing more pressure on Kuminga to deliver immediately.
Health is another factor. The 2026 playoff run was derailed when Edwards played hurt and the team's lack of depth was exposed. The Wolves' success hinges on their new pieces clicking quickly and avoiding the injury bug that bit them last spring.
