Anthony Edwards believes the Minnesota Timberwolves have the personnel to become a “super team” defensively after reshaping their roster around him, LaMelo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu.
“I like it,” Edwards said after Saturday’s practice when asked about the team’s early chemistry. “We’re sharing the ball a lot. I think defensively we can really be a super team on that end.”
Minnesota made major changes during the offseason, trading Julius Randle and Naz Reid while adding Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. The Timberwolves also re-signed Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract after acquiring him from Chicago at the 2026 trade deadline.
Edwards believes the Wolves’ perimeter defense can be particularly effective because of the number of players capable of defending the ball.
“We got three wings who can really guard on the ball with me, Jaden, and JK,” Edwards said, referring to himself, Jaden McDaniels and Kuminga. “Plus the guys that’s coming off the bench, and LaMelo is really good off the ball.”
The Timberwolves star believes that combination could allow Minnesota to switch more frequently.
“If we just stay in those type of situations and just switch everything with us three, I think we’ll be really good,” Edwards said.
Edwards also highlighted Dosunmu’s competitiveness and defensive mentality. The guard, who averaged 14.4 points and 3.5 assists in 24 games for Minnesota last season, has quickly become one of the more vocal players in the group.
“Ayo is from Chicago. So, he brings that grittiness, that toughness that I love that we needed for years,” Edwards said. “The main thing about Ayo is he always comes to play.”
Edwards added that Dosunmu’s approach in practice pushes him to raise his own level.
“It’s not a game he won’t be ready to play. He make me ready to play,” Edwards said. “Every time we step on the court, he ready to guard me. He bumping, pushing around.”
The arrival of Ball has also generated significant excitement for Edwards. The two guards are both 25 years old, and Edwards believes their willingness to put team success ahead of individual priorities can make the pairing work.
“We both big on putting our pride to the side, putting our ego to the side, and just doing whatever for the team,” Edwards said.
“Once I realized that’s how he was, I’m like, man, we’re going to be great together.”
That mentality will also be important offensively. Edwards acknowledged that Minnesota has more players who will need opportunities with Ball, Dosunmu, Kuminga and McDaniels alongside him.
“We just got to get used to sharing the ball with each other and sacrificing shots because everybody not going to get a lot of shots,” Edwards said.
The All-Star guard even offered himself as an example.
“I normally got to take the most shots, but everybody not going to get shots every night,” Edwards said. “Some nights Jaden may take 25 shots. Some nights JK may take 25 shots. Some nights I might only take 15 just for the sacrifice of the team.”
Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games last season as Minnesota went 49-33 before losing in the Western Conference semifinals.
Now, with a younger roster and a new-look core, Edwards is particularly excited about the defensive identity the Timberwolves can establish.
“I haven’t been more excited for a season to come,” Edwards said. “I think just us being young, man, playing with our hair on fire and, like I said, defensively just having that edge.”
