The Minnesota Timberwolves are riding a three-game winning streak into the 2026-27 season after a bold offseason aimed at pushing the franchise deeper into title contention. Their recent form includes a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 13, part of a 3W-2L run in their last five games. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly swung big to acquire star point guard LaMelo Ball, hoping to pair him with Anthony Edwards and create a more dynamic offense.
Minnesota finished last season with a 49-33 record, good for sixth in the Western Conference before a conference semifinals exit. Connelly's aggressive vision continued this summer. After the earlier twin-tower experiment with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, he orchestrated a five-team trade sending Naz Reid and Julius Randle to land LaMelo Ball.
Ball, a professional playmaker coming off a healthy, breakthrough year in Charlotte, arrives at the perfect time. He and Anthony Edwards are both 25 years old and entering their early primes. The hope is this backcourt can finally propel the Wolves past their recent playoff hurdles starting next spring. Connelly also pursued LeBron James but settled on signing Jonathan Kuminga to fill the power forward spot.
Jonathan Kuminga is the player to watch. Now a five-year veteran, Kuminga is still searching for a consistent NBA home and role. He averaged 12.5 points in just 22.1 minutes per game last season, a rate of 20.3 points per 36 minutes. His raw talent is obvious.
But Minnesota needs him to rebound and defend above all else. He turned down a three-year offer from the Lakers this summer, so he's effectively playing for his next contract. Kuminga faces a clear choice: chase individual highlights or buy into the team's needs to boost his value and help the Wolves win.
One number defines Anthony Edwards' offensive evolution: 49.6%. That was his elite accuracy on catch-and-shoot three-pointers last season, the best mark among 308 players with at least 75 such attempts. He hit 69 of 139.
But only 27% of his total three-point tries came off the catch, the fourth-lowest rate among high-volume shooters. Edwards' time of possession has jumped every year, with a significant leap from 16% in 2024-25 to 20% last season. The ball is in his hands more, leading to more off-the-dribble shots. LaMelo Ball's arrival is designed to reverse that trend. His playmaking should get Edwards easier looks and make the star a far more efficient scorer.
The season tips off with a marquee matchup on October 21 against the Miami Heat, featuring two of the biggest offseason acquisitions. Giannis Antetokounmpo makes his Miami debut while Minnesota counters with LaMelo Ball. Another key early game comes on Halloween against the San Antonio Spurs, a chance to address last spring's playoff elimination.
Building on their current winning run, which includes a 136-132 win in Houston on April 11 and a 124-104 victory in Indiana on April 7, will be vital. The team's consistency will be tested early, and fans can track the full slate on our schedule page. With Jaden McDaniels' defense and Rudy Gobert's rim protection still in place, coach Chris Finch has the tools to build a formidable unit around his new-look core.
