The Timberwolves are the NBA’s ultimate boom-or-bust team
Normally, when a sportsbook, like FanDuel, sets a regular season win total, the team ends up right around that range. For instance, the Charlotte Hornets over/under win total is set at 37.5. Given that they are projected to be right on the fringes of the playoff/play-in picture in the Eastern Conference, it seems pretty likely […]
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who made the trade with the Charlotte Hornets this offseason, are expected to be a high 40-win team in the 2026-27 NBA season. This is in stark contrast to their past performance, where they've consistently been among the top teams in the league, winning 154 games (tied for fifth) and reaching two Western Conference Finals.
Despite their success, the Timberwolves decided to trade away key players Julius Randle and Naz Reid, and brought in LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga instead. The new lineup, consisting of Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, Kuminga, and Gobert, has a stronger two-way upside than any unit the team has had in the past. However, this change also lowered the team's floor.
Randle and Reid were reliable players who could provide support, especially in defense and as backup fives. Now, Joan Beringer, a rookie big man, is expected to take over these roles, although it remains to be seen if he can fulfill this task effectively. The Timberwolves hope that Ball will complement Edwards, McDaniels, and Gobert perfectly, but his performance in the playoffs remains to be seen.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
