The Minnesota Timberwolves’ moves this offseason allowed them to become a much more youthful team. Gone from last year’s squad are Julius Randle, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, and Joe Ingles. Added are LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Isaiah Evans, and Cody Williams.
Now, Rudy Gobert is the clear elder statesman of the team and its starting lineup. Minnesota’s projected starting lineup now has four players no older than 26. There is a chance they will be the only team in the Western Conference that can say that to begin the 2026–27 season.
Timberwolves' youth is matched by few
Gobert, of course, will be the oldest member of the starting lineup at 34 years old. Otherwise, the Timberwolves will have Ball (25), Anthony Edwards (25), Jaden McDaniels (who turns 26 on September 29), and Kuminga (who turns 24 on October 6).
There are two teams in the West that may be able to say they, too, have four players starting under 27 years old: the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies.
For the Spurs, it really comes down to whether they will start free agent acquisition Tobias Harris or go with the same starting lineup that helped guide them to last season's NBA Finals. If they choose Harris, he would join De’Aaron Fox as one of two players over 26.
A healthy Grizzlies team will likely start all three of Cedric Coward, Cameron Boozer, and Zach Edey, all of whom are 24 or younger. If they go with arguably the two best remaining players on their team to fill out the starting lineup, those players would be Ty Jerome (29) and Jerami Grant (32). Jaylen Wells (23) is also a strong candidate, though.
If the Eastern Conference were included, the Charlotte Hornets would also appear to have four starters who are 26 or younger. Their projected starting five would have longtime Wolves player Naz Reid as the oldest at 27 years old. Coby White will also turn 27 on February 16.
The Timberwolves’ bench also features Ayo Dosunmu, Bones Hyland, and Terrence Shannon Jr., all of whom will be 26 when the regular season begins. Jaylen Clark celebrates his 25th birthday on October 13, Cody Williams will be 22 on November 20, and Joan Beringer turns 20 on November 11.
The amount of youth on Minnesota’s roster should help ensure that the Wolves do not begin to fade in the standings in future seasons. It's also great to know that their high-level talent, such as Edwards and Ball, may not have even reached their prime yet.
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