The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the brink of a championship after making two consecutive Western Conference finals appearances. Undoubtedly, teams can learn a lot from these deep playoff runs. During media day, Anthony Edwards discussed his biggest takeaway from these playoff runs.
Anthony Edwards on what he’s learned from the deep playoff runs
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) September 29, 2025
“The most important thing that I’ve learned from teams that go deep in the playoffs is, they are together, like they really care about each other… I think winning starts with being together” pic.twitter.com/LW8nGjHost
This is a mature response from Edwards and something that many people have mentioned when discussing what makes teams successful. The connectivity of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers was evident last playoffs.
The Timberwolves' continuity will benefit them
Continuity has been the buzzword throughout the Wolves' offseason, and there's real truth about how valuable this will be for Minnesota. Last offseason, the Wolves traded for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo just days before training camp.
While Randle and DiVincenzo proved to be ideal fits, it took time for them to jell with the rest of the squad. Still, the Wolves finished with a 17-4 record during the last 21 games and only lost two games in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Ultimately, the Wolves finished as the No. 6 seed in the West, but they could take a step up this season, and how they finished last year is evidence of that. Even going back to the 2023-24 season, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns had only played 27 games together the season before.
This time around, the Wolves didn't make any notable offseason changes, and their core is comfortable together. Minnesota drafted Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky (who is on a two-way contract). They also brought back Bones Hyland and signed Johnny Juzang to a training camp deal. All of these are minor moves, though. The Wolves did lose Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, but the rest of their rotation remains intact.
During media day, Edwards also spoke about his connection with Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels, who are now entering their sixth season together.
Anthony Edwards on what makes Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels and him special
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) September 29, 2025
“We all got three different personalities, Jaden is super quite, Naz is quite but he’s outgoing around the right people, and me I just don’t care who I’m around I’m going to be myself no matter what. I… pic.twitter.com/PrNh5UFTKy
With this group, and Gobert entering his fourth season with the team, along with Randle and DiVincenzo entering their second season in Minnesota, the Wolves should play a highly connected brand of basketball. Minnesota was already an elite squad that posted the NBA's fourth-best net rating. As their chemistry increases, it's not far-fetched to think the Wolves can improve this season.
Some people might be quick to write the Wolves off as contenders, given that they're in the same conference as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and a much-improved Denver Nuggets team. However, it would be foolish to count the Wolves out; they have made back-to-back conference finals runs and have a core that has never been more connected. This, along with the Wolves' combination of star power and complementary talent, makes them clear contenders.