The Minnesota Timberwolves spent the offseason adding talent around Anthony Edwards. Now they have to answer the question that could define their title hopes: How many players can thrive when they all believe they deserve a bigger role?
LaMelo Ball arrived as Minnesota’s new starting point guard. Jonathan Kuminga signed on to fill the starting power-forward vacancy. Ayo Dosunmu earned a long-term commitment after an impressive finish last season. Jaden McDaniels has earned more offensive opportunities, while Terrence Shannon Jr. showed in the playoffs that he deserves a bigger piece of the rotation pie and can create with the ball in his hands.
That is a lot of mouths to feed alongside usage-heavy star Edwards and defensive anchor Rudy Gobert.
3IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Wolves have built one of the Western Conference’s most physically gifted starting groups. Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, Kuminga and Gobert possess a rare mix of size, speed, length and athleticism. They also bring plenty of individual ambition into a season in which Minnesota is trying to prove its roster overhaul was worth the cost.
That makes Chris Finch’s job more complicated than simply finding the right starting five.
Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball must make the first sacrifice
Edwards is Minnesota’s unquestioned centerpiece and one of the NBA’s elite scorers. The Wolves made these moves with the hope that Ball can ease his playmaking burden, allowing Edwards to hunt shots off the ball more often and attack defenses before they can load up.
It is an appealing vision.
3May 15, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half during game six of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Ball can generate transition opportunities, create passing angles few guards see and get the Wolves into their offense quickly. Edwards can still handle the ball late in games or when a matchup calls for it. The two stars have already spent time together in Minnesota this summer, and their public chemistry has encouraged fans.
The adjustment comes once the games count.
Both guards have operated as primary creators throughout their careers. Ball has often needed the ball to unlock his best passing, while Edwards has become most dangerous when Minnesota gives him freedom to dictate possessions. A successful partnership requires Ball to embrace more off-ball work than he has in the past and Edwards to trust another player with important offensive decisions.
Neither has to abandon his strengths. They simply have to ensure the next possession belongs to the team instead of whichever star is feeling it at that moment.
Jonathan Kuminga’s approach could decide whether it works
Kuminga is the biggest wild card.
Minnesota signed the 23-year-old forward to a two-year, $12.4 million deal that includes a player option for 2027-28, creating an opportunity for him to rebuild his value on a contender. ESPN reported the contract structure and Minnesota’s plan to start him.
The Wolves need his athleticism, power and ability to attack the rim. They also need him to rebound, defend multiple positions and make quick decisions when Edwards or Ball creates an advantage.
Kuminga recently appeared to understand the assignment. After a social-media user suggested Ball, Edwards and McDaniels would all receive shots before him, Kuminga responded: “[That’s] just fine bro. You can impact winning doing something else too.”
That mentality is precisely what Minnesota needs. Kuminga does not need to be the Wolves’ No. 1 or No. 2 scorer every night. He can change games with defense, cuts, transition finishes, offensive rebounds and opportunistic scoring. If he does those things consistently, his minutes and offensive responsibility will naturally grow.
The challenge is sustaining that perspective through a full season. Kuminga has a player option and a chance to return to free agency next summer, so personal production will matter to him. Minnesota needs him to see the team’s success as the fastest route to enhancing his own market.
Minnesota has enough talent to solve its problem
3Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Wolves are hardly alone in having too many players who want a larger offensive role. That is a preferable problem to relying on one star to create every good look.
McDaniels can benefit from the departures of Julius Randle and Naz Reid, two players who commanded significant touches in Minnesota’s previous offense. Dosunmu provides another capable ball-handler for bench-heavy lineups. Shannon can offer downhill force against second units in a potential breakout season, while Gobert should receive easier lob chances from Ball.
Finch can also stagger Ball and Edwards, ensuring one high-level creator remains on the floor for most of the game. That strategy would give Kuminga and McDaniels room to attack in lineups without both guards. It would also allow Minnesota to deploy a more balanced second unit than it had in previous seasons.
The Wolves possess the depth, athleticism and versatility to make their new group terrifying. The talent is obvious. The test begins when a player accepts fewer touches, another defends the opponent’s best scorer and everyone trusts the ball will find the right person.
Minnesota’s ceiling is a championship contender. Reaching it depends on whether its revamped roster embraces a shared purpose before individual agendas pull it apart.