- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Photo: Markus Spiske via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0. Team logos via ESPN.
The Minnesota Timberwolves overhauled their roster this summer, acquiring LaMelo Ball to pair with Anthony Edwards in the backcourt. The franchise traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid to secure Ball, a move that made the team smaller and younger.
Minnesota also signed Jonathan Kuminga, 24, and Ayo Dosunmu, 26, in the offseason, with both expected to play key roles. The Wolves reached the Western Conference finals two of the past three years but fell to the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in consecutive playoff runs.
Ball and Edwards began working out together in July, with Edwards hosting Ball at his Minneapolis home. The duo led a push for a team trip to Paris, which fourteen players attended. Only Bones Hyland, who cited personal reasons, and Donte DiVincenzo, recovering from torn Achilles surgery, missed the excursion. The team used Clichy Hall for workouts and took a boat tour on the Seine River past the Eiffel Tower.
Coach Chris Finch said Ball brings infectious joy while Edwards contributes a killer mentality and seriousness. Edwards described himself as a natural two guard at heart and expressed happiness about Ball's arrival. The pair hyped teammates in a group text, and the club now has a teamwide fantasy football league. Edwards and Ball have developed their own handshake.
Source: ESPN - Wed Oct 21, 7:04 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).