Photo: Minnesota Timberwolves/YouTube

The Minnesota Timberwolves intentionally avoided adding veteran players this offseason because head coach Chris Finch believes their young core is ready to take greater ownership of the team.

“My approach with Ant or with Jaden or with all these guys is, if we’re going to take the diapers off, let’s take the diapers off. Like, it’s your team now,” Finch said.

The Timberwolves entered the offseason after making the playoffs and subsequently reshaped their roster around Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and a group of younger players. Rather than filling the roster with experienced veterans, Minnesota focused on giving its established young core more responsibility.

Edwards, 25, averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games during the 2025-26 regular season. He shot 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range while making his third All-Star team.

McDaniels also played a significant role, starting all 73 of his appearances and averaging 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He shot 51.5% overall and 41.2% from three-point range, giving Minnesota a two-way forward who can play alongside Edwards without requiring a high offensive usage.

The biggest offseason changes came through the addition of LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. Minnesota acquired Ball from Charlotte in a four-team trade that sent Julius Randle and Naz Reid out of the organization, then signed Kuminga to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with a player option for the second season.

Kuminga is expected to start at power forward, joining Edwards, Ball, McDaniels and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota’s projected starting lineup. The 23-year-old has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists over five NBA seasons, while shooting 50.2% from the field.

The Timberwolves also brought back Ayo Dosunmu on a five-year, $112 million contract, while re-signing Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark. Trey Lyles was the primary veteran addition, returning on a one-year, $3.88 million deal after spending the previous season with Real Madrid.

Minnesota also moved Josh Green to Utah in August, acquiring Cody Williams and John Konchar, who was then waived, while creating the financial room needed for Kuminga’s contract.