The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the 2025-26 season with momentum and stability after a second straight trip to the Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards is ascending into superstardom, while key re-signings signal belief in the current core. With familiarity growing by the day, Minnesota looks poised for another deep playoff run.
What’s New?
The Timberwolves entered the offseason with a relatively quiet approach, choosing continuity over sweeping changes. Their lone free-agent addition was Johnny Juzang, the former UCLA standout who spent three years with the Jazz as a steady role player averaging 7.9 points in under 20 minutes per game. The Wolves also used their first-round pick on Joan Beringer, an 18-year-old French big man brimming with defensive upside but still raw and untested at the NBA level. Most importantly, Minnesota re-upped with two of their core frontcourt pieces, Julius Randle (3 years, $100M) and Naz Reid (5 years, $125M), cementing their faith in last year’s roster construction.
Biggest Questions
The Wolves’ main challenge heading into 2025-26 is whether they can build on the momentum of last season. After a sluggish start, Minnesota flipped the switch late in the year, storming into a second consecutive Western Conference Finals even after the surprise midseason trade of Karl-Anthony Towns. That resilience proved they could withstand turbulence, but it also raises expectations. Can this group sustain that level of play across a full season? Unlike previous iterations with Towns, this squad finally has a chance to grow, and the pressure is on to transform flashes of brilliance into consistent dominance.
Players to Watch
Anthony Edwards remains the centerpiece, a superstar whose growth defines Minnesota’s ceiling. Beyond him, though, several players will shape the Wolves’ trajectory. Julius Randle and Naz Reid are both fresh off massive new contracts, and the franchise will demand production to justify those price tags. The spotlight is especially bright on Reid, who became a fan favorite with his energy and scoring punch off the bench. Meanwhile, second-year guard Rob Dillingham has much to prove after an underwhelming rookie campaign. His shot creation, once his calling card in college, has yet to fully translate, making his development a pivotal storyline. The same goes for athletic swingman Terrence Shannon – though this is more about building off some rhythm from the minutes he got during the playoffs.
Reason for Optimism/Concern
Optimism stems from the Timberwolves’ late-season surge and the continuity they now enjoy. Last year, their deep playoff run ended against the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder – a loss that felt more like a learning experience than a setback.
With Anthony Edwards blossoming into one of the league’s most exciting stars, the Wolves have a legitimate franchise cornerstone to build around. On the flip side, there’s concern over whether Randle and Reid can live up to their hefty deals, and if Dillingham stalls again, depth could become a weakness. Still, the path forward looks brighter than ever in Minnesota.
