Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have spent most of their existence being the franchise that other franchises use as a cautionary tale, and the fact that they are now a legitimate Western Conference threat is one of the most satisfying turnarounds in the NBA. Founded in 1989, championship-less, and historically defined by the Kevin Garnett era that ended with his departure to Boston, the Wolves have finally found their next transcendent star. Target Center, an 18,798-seat arena in downtown Minneapolis, is rocking again after years of apathy.

Anthony Edwards is the reason. The explosive 23-year-old guard has rapidly become one of the most exciting players in the NBA, averaging a career-high 27.6 points per game in 2024-25 with a combination of athleticism, scoring ability, and charisma that has drawn comparisons to a young Michael Jordan — comparisons that would be absurd for any other player but feel merely ambitious for Edwards. Under Chris Finch, the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals in 2024 and followed up with a 49-33 season, proving that the breakthrough was not a fluke.

Minnesota’s strong defensive identity and Edwards’ generational star power have made them a legitimate threat in the West. The fanbase, starved of success for decades, has been energised by a team that finally gives them a reason to brave the Minneapolis winter.

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The Timberwolves enter 2025-26 with Edwards as the face of the franchise and expectations that would have seemed delusional five years ago. The Wolves are no longer happy just to make the playoffs — they want a championship, and with Edwards at the controls, that ambition is not unreasonable. For Australian fans watching via ESPN, Edwards is the most must-see player in the Western Conference, and the Wolves are the most compelling team to follow from obscurity to relevance.

VS — Chief sports columnist, australiafootball.com