The Minnesota Timberwolves title contender conversation starts with Anthony Edwards, who has established himself as one of the league’s young superstars. He has proven himself to be one of the NBA’s best two-way players. The Timberwolves have failed to make the NBA Finals in the last few years, falling to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round last season and losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Conference Finals in 2025.
The Timberwolves are now entering the 2026-27 season with the highest expectations they’ve had in the Edwards era. After an offseason that saw Minnesota make big moves, they put themselves in the true contender conversation. Yahoo Sports called the Timberwolves the “ultimate boom-or-bust” team. The only questions surrounding this team are whether these pieces can fit and work together, and whether they will have enough offensive production from their centers. Minnesota may have made all the right moves to go from a playoff team to a Timberwolves title contender.
The Timberwolves Are Real Title Contenders in 2026-27
Timberwolves Title Contender: Built around Anthony Edwards
Edwards has developed into a very good number one option and is coming off his best scoring season with his best shooting percentage. He averaged 28.8 points while shooting 39.9% from the three-point line last season. Edwards has also led the Timberwolves to five consecutive playoff appearances. He has without a doubt become one of the most fearless stars in this league.
Through the last five years, he has gained a lot of playoff experience, which could become more crucial than ever this season. In 2024 and 2025, he led the Timberwolves to two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances, losing in 2024 to the Mavericks in five games and losing in 2025 to the Thunder in five games.
His ability to create his own shot and shoot at a high percentage is special. The Timberwolves did a really good job this offseason of getting pieces that fit around him and will open up his game even more. The roster that they’ve built is one of the most talented teams in the league and can compete with anyone.
LaMelo Ball Gives the Timberwolves Another Dynamic Offensive Talent
LaMelo Ball‘s high IQ and passing ability will make the game so much easier for Edwards. Edwards can play off-ball more, and if he’s just in the right spot, then Ball will find him. All is someone who can create offense not just from his IQ and passing, but from his ability to make difficult shots as well. His career averages with the Hornets were 20.8 points and 7.3 assists per game on efficient three-point shooting at 36.5%.
Ball brings a fast pace, get the ball and go type of offense to a team that already ranked ninth in pace last season. He wants to get the ball down the court as quickly as possible, ending breaks with flashy passes and lobs to the rim. He is also able to hit tough off-balance shots with the clock running down.
Edwards will no longer have to be the sole offensive creator for himself and players around him. He now has someone to take a lot of work off his plate and help with playmaking. He can now focus on what the best part of his game is, and that’s scoring. This duo makes it hard for opposing defenses to guard because they can no longer double-team Edwards. If Ball can stay healthy, this will be one of the league’s most dangerous offensive backcourts.
The Timberwolves Have More Offensive Weapons
Aside from just getting Ball, they also added Cody Williams and Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga has been overlooked for the last couple of years, even after playing well in the playoffs last season for the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 13.7 points in the playoffs while shooting 48.7% from the field. He did struggle shooting threes as he only shot 20.8%, but playing with Ball and Edwards, he will get so many opportunities. Kuminga is the type of player that Ball needs, someone who runs the floor and is a lob threat.
Williams, on the other hand, is entering his third year and has been labeled as a 3-and-D player. For the Jazz last season, he averaged 8.8 points but only shot 21.3% from three. He will now be in a situation where he can get open shots and only have to catch and shoot and worry about defense. Ball and Edwards together will open up his game more.
Jaden McDaniels also proved himself to be a reliable last playoff when Edwards was out with an injury. He showed that he’s capable of creating his own shot while also being the premier defender that he’s been the last few years. McDaniels has also become a good three-point shooter, which will be crucial for the duo of Edwards and Ball.
This team will be a transition offensive juggernaut and the definition of defense leading to offense. They have good defenders all around, and players that can run the floor. They have the capability of leading the NBA in fast-break points. They will also have a lot of space due to their improved shooting. This will likely be the easiest team that Edwards has been able to play with, and the perfect fit for his style of play.
Can the Timberwolves Make a Deep Playoff Run
The biggest threats to the Timberwolves in the West are the Spurs and the Thunder. Having lost to both teams in the playoffs the last two years, the Timberwolves are hopeful that they made the right moves to launch themselves ahead. Outside of the Spurs and Thunder, there probably isn’t another team that could truly compete with this current Timberwolves team.
Edwards’ playoff experience over the last five years will benefit him this year more than ever in the loaded West. Having another star next to him makes the Timberwolves an actual threat to the Spurs and Thunder. This is a well-rounded team that not many will be able to beat in a seven-game series. They have defenders that can defend in a playoff atmosphere, and they have the offense to compete with any team.
The Timberwolves are a dangerous team because it is not just Edwards having to carry the workload now. The front office did a very good job of making the necessary moves to make this team a title contender. They took the right steps to get Edwards the help he needs.
Main Image: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
