Anthony Edwards has become one of the league’s best players in recent years. He is the standout in the Timberwolves’ backcourt. DeMarcus Cousins feels the team would be better if Edwards gets an improved backcourt partner.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have had an impressive couple of years with Anthony Edwards as their superstar. They reached two consecutive Western Conference Finals, which is especially tough in such a stacked group.
Edwards has done it with veteran Mike Conley as his primary backcourt partner. Conley is still a good player and mentor, but his lack of explosiveness has limited the Timberwolves. Offensively, he usually spots up rather than making the most significant impact.
Former All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins believes the Timberwolves have a bright future with Edwards. However, he also thinks the team could go further if they had a better point guard.
Photo by David Berding/Getty ImagesCousins feels the Timberwolves must get another backcourt partner for Edwards
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, the Timberwolves will have Conley starting at point guard with Rob Dillingham as his backup. Most of the time, Edwards will handle the ball, as he will be another option at point guard.
Cousins believes that it is not enough for the Timberwolves to shine in the loaded Western Conference. He thinks that the Timberwolves can get over the hump with a good point guard who is ready. Cousins loves Dillingham’s potential, but he is still raw for the full-time starting role.
Pat Bev and Mike Conley mentoring Anthony Edwards is so unbelievably valuable and are underrated pieces to how this team is built today pic.twitter.com/SQOwG4FJTT
— Shea Butter (@ButtaSports) May 26, 2025
View Tweet
They have awesome wing players on the team who can fill in the gaps. Some people even feel they have a budding x factor on the roster. It is a talented squad; they just need to fully realize their potential.
“I think he’s more so about getting the right talent around him. I think they got some good pieces. They got to find a really good PG put next to him,” Cousins said on the Straight Game Podcast.
“I’m a big Rob fan, that’s UK (University of Kentucky), bro. When you play with a guy like that, you got to put your game in the backseat, and I think young fella is through that stage of figuring out how to feature the star.”
Dillingham could be the best option in the long-term future
They can still retain Dillingham, but the Timberwolves must be patient with his development. The optimal situation is for Dillingham to develop his all-around game. He was the eighth overall pick in 2024, so he was a top prospect.
If he can realize his potential, the Timberwolves will have a dynamic backcourt with him and Edwards. Conley is doing his best as a mentor alongside assistant coach and former NBA player Pablo Prigioni.
The Timberwolves want him to be the long-term point guard, considering he is only three years younger than Edwards. An Edwards and Dillingham backcourt can become an unguardable duo. However, the development should still happen without any rush.
A core of Edwards, Dillingham, and Jaden McDaniels can tick all the boxes. As long as they maintain a positive trajectory, the Timberwolves will be a dangerous team to play against.