There are high expectations for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season as the team transformed its roster by adding LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga to replace Naz Reid and Julius Randle.

After making the Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025, but winning only one game in each trip, the Timberwolves were overmatched by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs in 2026, and still viewed as being behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the big picture.

Much like the Thunder and Spurs, the Timberwolves are armed with an All-NBA player who is only getting better, and could have a breakout season with his new running mate in the backcourt.

Speaking to Tim Reynolds of AP Sports, Anthony Edwards was asked if he hopes for a championship.

“I don’t really have hope. I just got will. I’m just all will. It’s like, ‘I don’t think he’s better than me. I don’t think that they can beat me and my team.’ It’s just that simple,” he said. “Whoever we line up against, you just not going to sit here and tell me that their team is going to beat our team. It’s that simple, I don’t hope. I don’t wish for nothing. It’s straight will and determination. And we’re going to show it every night.”

Edwards has never lacked confidence, and it’s come through when he’s on the court, always rising to the occasion and going after other top superstars, willing to trade words and baskets with future Hall of Famers like Kevin Durant.

Minnesota’s fatal flaw of not having enough playmaking was their undoing against the Spurs last season. They remedied that by adding LaMelo, but in turn sacrificed their frontcourt depth by trading Randle and Reid.

The late offseason signing of Kuminga will help, especially when it comes to rounding out the starting lineup, but their frontcourt depth will be tested throughout the regular season as they can’t afford Rudy Gobert or Joan Beringer to miss extended time, as it could stretch the healthy center thin.

Edwards is coming off his best season to date, and still has plenty of room to grow, especially on the offensive end. He finished third in scoring last season, and the addition of Ball along with a more uptempo offense could see him walk home with his first scoring title.

One thing is for sure, he’s not going to back down from the competition.