Sep 22, 2026 1:00 PM
Chris Finch wants the Timberwolves to take another step as a playmaking team.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the best offenses in the NBA last season, but that doesn't mean they were perfect. Head coach Chris Finch wants to change that.
They were seventh in points scored and ninth in field goal percentage and with star guard Anthony Edwards continuing to improve, the Timberwolves should be poised to be just as threatening next season, if not more so.
But there's always room for improvement and the biggest way that Finch can see the Timberwolves improve is through ball movement.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch talks with guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images"We have got to get passing back into our game. We didn't pass enough last year; at times I thought we even became reluctant passer. I still want our players to play with great freedom, but within a structure, and that structure might change a little bit and we'll see how that looks," Finch said (via Minnesota Post).
Lacking in Passing
For as talented as their offense is at pushing the pace and securing shots through sheer aggressiveness, the Timberwolves have been lackluster at best when it comes to passing. They were 16th in assists per game last season at just 16.1 and finch would like to see that number jump up.
One big reason that the Timberwolves struggled to pass so much was due to their lack of a true point guard, something that has plagued the team for years. To try and remedy this issue, both forward Julius Randle and Edwards were tasked at trying to play hybrid roles that asked them to be floor generals, neither players' strong suit.
That aspect of the problem should be greatly helped by the addition of LaMelo Ball, one of the best passers in the NBA today in the offseason.
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch speaks to the media before game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn ImagesBut Ball alone won't be enough to fully turn around the Timberwolves' passing game. There needs to be fluidity of movement across the court, and for that to happen the rest of the team will have to step up as well.
Taking Leaps
Edwards has been a solid passer in the past, but his assist numbers have steadily declined over the last two seasons and like many things when it comes to the Minnesota offense, Edwards has to lead the change if the rest of the team wants to follow suit.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks to pass as Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) and guard Vj Edgecombe (77) defend during the second half at Target Center. Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesAyo Dosunmu and Jaden McDaniels will also have to make strides in their ball movement to help contribute to the team's overall ability to generate plays, but it ultimately comes down to the schemes that Finch cooks up as head coach if the Timberwolves want to truly make that leap.
Based on Finch's comments, that push certainly seems to be in the cards, but now it's time to put that plan into action.
With all of the raw scoring power that the Timberwolves have at their disposal, making that next step when it comes to playmaking could make them truly scary offensively and that alone would go a long way in helping the team compete in a loaded Western Conference.
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