Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Puts Thunder, Spurs on Notice

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards expressed strong confidence that his reconfigured team can overcome the Western Conference’s top contenders next season.

“Against those two teams, I think we’re going to beat them,” Edwards said of the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The All-Star guard made the remarks to ESPN while visiting Manila in the Philippines this week. Edwards spoke as the Timberwolves prepare for training camp following significant roster changes in the offseason.

Last season, Minnesota finished with a 49-33 record and secured the No. 6 seed in the West. The Timberwolves advanced past the Denver Nuggets in the first round before falling to the Spurs in six games in the conference semifinals.

San Antonio then defeated the top-seeded Thunder in a seven-game Western Conference finals series. The Spurs reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years but lost to the New York Knicks in five games.

Edwards averaged a career-high 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign. He also assumed more playmaking responsibilities in the postseason.

The Timberwolves responded to their playoff exit by acquiring All-Star guard LaMelo Ball in a blockbuster trade in June. The deal sent Naz Reid and draft assets to the Charlotte Hornets while also bringing Josh Green to Minnesota.

Edwards and Ball now form a high-powered backcourt pairing of former high lottery picks from the 2020 draft class. Minnesota also moved on from Julius Randle and saw veteran Mike Conley depart in free agency.

Before heading to the Philippines, Edwards organized team activities in France that included Ball and other new additions. He described the group as “the whole gang” during those sessions focused on chemistry ahead of the upcoming season.

“It would mean a lot [to win a championship]… But right now, I don’t think we’re thinking about winning the championship,” Edwards said. “It’s step by step. We got LaMelo, a new player, and a bunch of new pieces. So, we are just trying to build it together and I think we’re trying to gel it all together.”

The Thunder posted a league-best 64-18 record last season and remain led by two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Spurs finished 62-20 behind reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama.

Both clubs have eliminated Minnesota in consecutive postseasons. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves in the 2025 Western Conference finals, while San Antonio ended their run this past spring.

Edwards remains optimistic about the supporting cast that includes Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert and Ayo Dosunmu. The Timberwolves also re-signed key depth pieces and added Trey Lyles on a one-year contract.

“That’s the best part about me. I will still be the same person,” Edwards said when asked about sharing the backcourt with Ball.

Minnesota’s championship window remains open with Edwards, still only 25, entering his seventh NBA season. The addition of Ball provides another primary creator and secondary scoring threat alongside the former No. 1 overall pick.

Edwards’ comments come as the NBA offseason continues and training camps approach in September. The Timberwolves will look to build chemistry quickly with their new core as they aim to reverse recent playoff disappointments against the conference’s elite.

Whether Minnesota can close the gap on San Antonio and Oklahoma City will be one of the central storylines in the Western Conference next season. Edwards has made clear he believes the answer is yes.