Edwards alone isn’t enough: the Wolves risk wasting his best years

After being eliminated by San Antonio Spurs, disappointment is unavoidable in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves had built a reputation – and an identity – around pulling off impossible runs, fueled by a hungry group capable of responding when counted out.

That had happened in each of the previous two postseasons, when they entered every series as underdogs and still reached back-to-back Conference Finals. The same thing happened again this year, with the win over division rivals Denver after an inconsistent and undisciplined regular season, despite injuries and adversity.

To properly analyze how the Spurs overwhelmed Anthony Edwards and company – more than the six-game series might initially suggest – you have to start there: with the physical issues.

From there, the focus shifts to the coming months and how executive Tim Connelly must operate to keep Minnesota’s championship window open, especially with the need to compete against both the Thunder and Spurs for years to come in the race to the NBA Finals.

Unless, of course, expansion eventually pushes the Timberwolves into the Eastern Conference. But that’s another conversation entirely.

What happened against the Spurs

It starts with the face of the franchise, Anthony Edwards, who entered the postseason with a bad knee and then hyperextended the other one during the Denver series – the closing stretch of which he watched while rehabbing.

Only to shock everyone by returning for Game 1 of the Conference Semifinals and stealing a road win in San Antonio.

That said, beyond the occasional flashes, it was obvious Edwards wasn’t playing with his usual explosiveness and that both knees were limiting him. It was equally clear how important Donte DiVincenzo would’ve been in a series like this, where floor spacing was essential to survive.

His Achilles injury will remain a major problem next season as well, and it was a huge factor in this matchup. Especially because two other potential shooters – perhaps more volume than efficiency players – were also banged up: Naz Reid with shoulder issues and Ayo Dosunmu dealing with calf soreness.

In short, the series against the San Antonio Spurs both began and ended with those injuries and absences. Coach Chris Finch’s only realistic path to forcing a Game 7 was pulling Victor Wembanyama away from the paint through perimeter gravity, allowing Julius Randle to attack downhill.

All while hoping to win the non-Wemby minutes through shot-making confidence and defensive pressure.

Instead, Minnesota struggled badly from three-point range, had enormous difficulty creating shots at the rim, and consistently suffered under San Antonio’s ball pressure – made even more effective whenever Wemby could dominate the paint defensively with his length and mobility.

After the surprise Game 1 win, without Wembanyama’s ejection in Game 4, the Wolves probably would’ve lost four straight, simply because they couldn’t finish efficiently either inside or outside the arc.

The structural limits of the Wolves’ roster

Put simply, Minnesota needs a reliable second offensive option – someone capable of creating offense consistently and generating his own shot – along with a couple of proven shooters, especially considering DiVincenzo will likely miss all of next season.

All of that while hoping the defensive structure created through the continuity Tim Connelly prioritized last summer remains intact.

Meaning Rudy Gobert must continue providing the kind of defensive impact he showed against Denver, where he remained a difference-maker despite age continuing to catch up.

Of course, looking back at what the Wolves have “lost” over the last two years, adding the version of Karl-Anthony Towns currently thriving as an offensive hub in New York, along with newly crowned Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker, would feel transformative.

The latter was allowed to leave because of salary considerations tied to extensions, with Minnesota prioritizing new deals for Gobert, Reid, and Randle.

Meanwhile, KAT was sacrificed – primarily for financial flexibility – in exchange for DiVincenzo and Randle: a pairing that might not even remain together next season.

DiVincenzo for the obvious reasons already mentioned. Randle because he appears to be the most likely trade candidate, especially since the role he fills doesn’t seem to maximize the team’s needs – something that became evident throughout the season.

The offseason revolves around Randle

Anthony Edwards will turn 25 this summer, and Minnesota must put him in position to compete with a supporting cast that clearly can’t remain unchanged after taking a step backward compared to the previous two seasons.

That means continuity alone cannot be the plan, even if the trio of Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert probably shouldn’t be touched.

Coach Finch also appears safe, despite rumors surrounding assistant Micah Nori potentially leaving for another opportunity – which would still represent a significant loss.

Looking at the rest of the roster, with Donte injured entering the final year of his deal, rookie Beringer remains under contract along with Shannon Jr., who likely cemented his place during this postseason.

Beyond the expected return of ageless veteran Mike Conley and the bench duo of Joe Ingles and Kyle Anderson (“SlowMo”), the two biggest questions revolve around Ayo Dosunmu and Julius Randle.

Dosunmu is coming off a $7 million contract and will demand significantly more to stay, while Randle is owed $30 million, with one guaranteed $36 million season and another $38 million player option remaining.

Trading him won’t be easy, but it remains the franchise’s clearest path toward reshaping the roster. Minnesota could attach young assets – Shannon, Beringer, and possibly Clark if retained – to increase the appeal of a package capable of landing a legitimate second option next to Ant.

Among upcoming free agents, former Dosunmu teammate Coby White is also expected to hit the market. His shot creation and scoring profile already made him a rumored target before the trade deadline, prior to his move to Charlotte and Connelly’s decision to pursue Ayo instead.

As much as Dosunmu is appreciated for his defensive aggression, White would represent a significant offensive upgrade with far superior on-ball creation skills.

It’s difficult to envision the Wolves aggressively entering the sweepstakes for Giannis Antetokounmpo, despite rumors around last season’s trade deadline.

Partly because Minnesota lacks premium trade assets outside of the No. 28 pick this year and its 2028 first-rounder. But also because Jaden McDaniels should remain completely untouchable after what he showed against Denver, despite a quieter series versus San Antonio.