The Timberwolves have as good a chance as any to be true contenders.
The Western Conference is as good as it's been in years and the Minnesota Timberwolves want their own piece of the pie.
Minnesota has been a fringe contender for several seasons now, consistently making it to the playoffs, but rarely advancing past the second round and never even making it the NBA Finals.
But despite the quality of the competition around them in their conference, the Timberwolves' era of success may just be getting started.
The cornerstone of any success that the Timberwolves could hope to achieve is of course Anthony Edwards, and the trajectory that he's on right now is a more than encouraging sign of the kind of team leader that he can be once Minnesota gets back to the playoffs again.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates after making a three point shot as time expires in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesA Leading Superstar
A great playoff team needs a connected team, of course, but more often than not having a bonafide superstar to lead a team and ideally take over during the playoffs and the Timberwolves certainly have one in Edwards.
He has only continued to improve each year and after adding a competent three point shot last season, put up the best numbers of his career. Should Edwards keep up this rise to superstardom, which it looks like he will, the Timberwolves will undoubtedly have the kind of player that can be the pillar of their franchise through the playoffs.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) after scoring a three-point basket during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesTo make things even better for Edwards, he finally has a complimentary player in the backcourt that can actually serve his needs in LaMelo Ball, whom the Timberwolves traded for from the Charlotte Hornets this offseason.
Acquiring the dedicated playmaker that the Timberwolves have needed for so long is a huge pickup for Minnesota and between his abilities to create shots for the team around him and his own abilities as a scorer, the Timberwolves, who were already one of the top offensive teams in the NBA, have gotten that much better.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesStrong Defense
They do have some concerns though. Trading away Julius Randle and Naz Reid has left the Timberwolves stuck on the smaller side and without a true power forward, but that size deficit is something that can more than be made up on the defensive end between the efforts of Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at Intuit Dome. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesOn top of all of that, the Timberwolves extended Ayo Dosunmu, their best pickup from the trade deadline last season, to a five-year contract securing a very solid second option behind Edwards.
All in all, with what projects to be one of the best offenses in the NBA, and superstar in the making and a dependable defense on their side, the Timberwolves, who have only gotten better ad younger this offseason, could be serious championship contenders for years to come.
