Chris Finch expects LaMelo Ball to bring changes to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offensive identity, but the head coach emphasized that Anthony Edwards will remain central to how the team plays.
Asked by the Minnesota Post how much the Timberwolves’ identity could change with Ball at both ends of the court, Finch said the answer will depend on how the new roster develops.
“To be determined. As I sit here now, I want to see how it plays out,” Finch said.
Finch acknowledged that a team’s identity is largely shaped by its best players, and he expects Edwards to continue driving much of Minnesota’s offense. At the same time, Ball’s ability to operate as a primary ball-handler could give the Timberwolves additional ways to create shots.
“I can see a lot of our offensive identity still flowing through Ant,” Finch said. “It is just that I think we have a chance to play faster, be a better passing team, maybe people benefit from off-ball movement more.”
Finch also pointed to Rudy Gobert as another player who could benefit from the different offensive possibilities created by Ball.
“With Rudy, a lot of different things (can happen), so I can see everything kind of get a little polished, if you will,” Finch said.
Ball arrives in Minnesota after playing 72 games for the Charlotte Hornets in 2025-26, his highest total in a season since entering the NBA. He averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 36.8% from three-point range and 89.9% from the free-throw line.
The 25-year-old guard has averaged 7.3 assists over his six-year career and has established himself as a high-volume playmaker and three-point shooter.
His presence could particularly affect Jaden McDaniels, who Finch believes still has another step to take in his development. The coach noted that adding another player who commands the ball creates a new challenge in distributing opportunities across the lineup.
“You know how I am always talking about the usage puzzle?” Finch said, referring to how Minnesota determines the appropriate number of plays and shots for each player. “Of course LaMelo is going to have the ball in his hands a lot.”
Finch nevertheless sees Ball as someone who can create opportunities for teammates rather than simply adding another high-usage player.
“I think he is going to create some easier opportunities that maybe didn’t happen organically in our offense before,” Finch said.
The coach specifically compared that aspect to Mike Conley’s role with McDaniels. Conley departed Minnesota for Boston during the offseason after helping create opportunities for teammates through his experience and understanding of the offense.
“They happened because Mike Conley made them happen, for Jaden specifically, and that is all-credit to Mike and his understanding of how to get his guys going,” Finch said.
Minnesota’s 2026 offseason centered on the four-team trade that brought Ball to the Timberwolves while sending Julius Randle and Naz Reid out of the frontcourt. The team also added Jonathan Kuminga and re-signed Ayo Dosunmu, creating a new-look rotation around Edwards, Ball, McDaniels and Gobert.
