The Minnesota Timberwolves had an incredibly busy offseason, highlighted by the LaMelo Ball trade. Next year’s team will look drastically different in more ways than the sharp rebrand the franchise introduced in June, and while many of the faces are the same, their roles are much different as they try to get over the Victor Wembanyama-sized hurdle in the Western Conference.
Because of this, some players had a better offseason than others. While some players find themselves in a better situation, others have questions about their role or even their future with the team.
There are still some developments that can happen between now and the start of the regular season, but for right now, there are clear winners and losers in the aftermath of the Timberwolves’ summer.
Winner #1: Anthony Edwards
It’s hard for the face of the franchise to see his situation change, but that’s exactly what happened for Anthony Edwards. After being double-teamed to death during the Timberwolves’ playoff run, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly took a trademark aggressive swing, acquiring LaMelo in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
Ball’s fit with the Timberwolves isn’t crystal clear due to his injury history and free-wheeling demeanor on the court. But head coach Chris Finch has talked about him as a facilitator in the Timberwolves’ offense. Ball also has the ability to knock down shots on his own, which should take pressure off Edwards and allow him to become an even bigger force next season.
With Ball in the mix and Edwards stepping up his leadership off the court and arranging a team trip to France, it seems like Minnesota’s star could be in for his best season yet.
Winner #2: Rudy Gobert
When the Timberwolves’ season ended, it also felt like Rudy Gobert’s time in Minnesota might be concluding. A key member of the Wolves' defense, Gobert was a seven-foot wrench on the offensive end of the court since coming over in a blockbuster trade in 2022. While he had to co-exist with Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle, he could be freed up after Randle was traded to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason.
Gobert is always going to be a strong defender, but he could benefit greatly from the addition of Ball. An elite playmaker, Ball can utilize the pick-and-roll and lobs to give Gobert clearer paths to the basket, and while the Timberwolves need help at the power forward position, it resembles Gobert’s final years with the Utah Jazz, where the lack of a traditional four helped the team’s spacing.
Expecting Gobert to turn into an offensive demon will lead to disappointment. But adding Ball and going smaller in the frontcourt could provide the best version of Gobert.
Winner #3: Jaden McDaniels
After years of taking a backseat in Minnesota’s offense, Jaden McDaniels may finally get the expanded offensive role fans have been pleading for.
McDaniels looked ready for that promotion last season, averaging a career-high 14.8 points per game and shooting 41.2 percent on 3-pointers. He also shot 51.5 percent overall, but was one of the victims of watching Randle try to bully his way into the paint. Playing alongside an elite playmaker in Ball could help him a ton.
Randle is off to Brooklyn, and McDaniels could be asked to fill his spot as a power forward at times to begin the 2026-27 season. But if it frees him up to take on more responsibilities on offense, it could lead to the breakout Wolves fans have been waiting for.
Loser #1 Terrence Shannon Jr.
Terrence Shannon Jr.'s sophomore season was derailed by a foot injury, but it appeared he had found traction toward the end of the season. Getting more on-ball duties in the wake of Donte DiVincenzo’s torn Achilles, Shannon averaged 11.8 points per game during the playoffs and had even had Finch admitting they needed to find more ways to empower him on the ball.
Whatever plans Finch was talking about were lit on fire when Ball arrived, and Ayo Dosunmu re-signed with Minnesota during free agency. With Ball, Dosunmu, and Bones Hyland all splitting time in the backcourt, Shannon’s best shot at playing time could be as an undersized power forward.
Injuries could unearth Shannon from this role, but it’s also disappointing for a player who could be relegated to a spot-up role entering his third season in the league. For a player who could be playing for his future in Minnesota, it’s not an ideal situation.
Loser #2 Bones Hyland
Speaking of Hyland, he can’t be thrilled with how his 2026 has gone. After working his way into the Timberwolves’ rotation to begin last season, his offensive production and defense slipped in the second half. Not only did that have him riding the bench more as the season progressed, but it also cost him a potential multi-year deal in free agency.
After returning to the Wolves on a one-year deal, Hyland will at least have security to begin the year. But that could get difficult if DiVincenzo returns from injury earlier than expected. The Wolves also have plenty of depth in the backcourt, which could leave Hyland as trade bait or a strict bench player as next season unfolds.
If the Wolves’ offseason moves go as planned, Hyland will be collateral damage. But it can’t be what Hyland expected when he agreed to come back to Minnesota this summer.
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