Matt Barnes believes the Minnesota Timberwolves could be the NBA’s most compelling team to watch during the 2026-27 season after their aggressive offseason makeover.
Speaking to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on #WORDWITHSCOOP, Barnes highlighted the additions of LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga alongside Anthony Edwards, while suggesting Minnesota could still need another piece to reach championship level.
“I love it,” Barnes said when asked about Minnesota’s roster. “I think Ant and LaMelo are going to take each other’s games to another level. They’re competitive.”
The Timberwolves acquired Ball from the Charlotte Hornets in a four-team blockbuster during the offseason, sending out Julius Randle, Naz Reid and significant draft capital. Ball averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists last season and is expected to form the starting backcourt with Edwards.
Minnesota subsequently added Kuminga on a two-year deal, giving head coach Chris Finch another athletic forward to place alongside Edwards, Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
Barnes had previously envisioned LeBron James joining the Timberwolves, specifically as a power forward.
“I really felt like Bron sliding into that space would have been perfect,” Barnes said. “Bron playing power forward for Minnesota was my ideal choice.”
Despite not landing James, Barnes remains high on Minnesota’s current roster.
“But they got depth, a young team, and a good coach,” he said. “They might still be one piece away from being championship contenders, but I feel like they’re the most must-watch team of the year.”
The Timberwolves finished 51-31 last season and reached the second round of the playoffs. Edwards was their offensive centerpiece, averaging 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 regular-season games while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range.
The 25-year-old guard also made the All-Star team and finished third in Clutch Player of the Year voting.
Randle, who averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 79 games, is no longer in Minnesota after being included in the Ball trade. Reid also departed after averaging 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 36.2% from three.
McDaniels remains in the frontcourt after averaging 14.8 points and shooting 41.2% from three, while Gobert anchors the defense. The veteran center averaged 10.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks last season and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
