Anthony Edwards Welcomes LaMelo Ball as Timberwolves’ New Point Guard.
MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards is looking forward to what LaMelo Ball can bring to the Minnesota Timberwolves, particularly the chance to return to a more natural role in the backcourt. Speaking at Minnesota’s media day Monday, Edwards said he was pleased with the team’s offseason changes despite losing longtime teammate Naz Reid. “I’m going to miss Naz for sure, that’s my brother,” Edwards said. “But I’m super happy about the changes in the locker room. Just a bunch of different mentalities, personalities. I think it’s going to mesh well together.”
The Timberwolves made significant changes after being eliminated in the second round of the 2026 playoffs. Minnesota moved Reid and Julius Randle in a trade that brought Ball to the team and also added Jonathan Kuminga in free agency. For Edwards, Ball’s arrival could allow him to spend more time at shooting guard rather than handling primary point guard responsibilities.
“I feel like I’m a natural two guard at heart,” Edwards said. “I never thought I could develop any point guard skills. I know [coach Chris Finch] harps on me passing the ball, but now we got LaMelo, so I’m happy.”
Edwards also believes having Ball handle more of the offense could give him additional energy to focus on defense and scoring. He said that in previous seasons, carrying the ball up the floor while also being relied upon heavily to score made it difficult to consistently defend at the level he wanted. “Now I got LaMelo, I got point guards,” Edwards said. “So, I don’t really got to bring it up at all. I can go to the corner for three, four plays in a row and just guard the best players.” Ball enters Minnesota after spending the first six seasons of his career with the Charlotte Hornets. He played 72 games last season, averaging 20.1 points and 7.1 assists. Ball said he already feels a connection with Edwards, describing the two as having similar personalities. “Really, we got the same personality,” Ball said. “Cool, confident, outgoing. That’s my brother and I think we’re going to be straight.” Edwards is coming off a career-best regular season in scoring, averaging 28.8 points while shooting 48% from the field over 61 games. He also faced increased defensive attention, including frequent double-teams, particularly during the playoffs. With Ball now joining him in Minnesota’s backcourt, Edwards said he is comfortable with the direction of the team and dismissed the idea that the organization has a limited window to keep its star happy. When asked which superstar the question referred to, Edwards responded, “Who the superstar? Me?”
He then added, “I didn’t know nothing about that. I’m happy.”