Finch Says Wolves Overused Anthony Edwards and Brought in LaMelo to Recast Offense

Overview

• Finch acknowledged on the Road Trippin' podcast Saturday that Minnesota relied too heavily on Edwards as a primary ball-handler and regretted publicly calling him out after a West semifinals game.
• The Timberwolves traded for LaMelo Ball this offseason to install a traditional lead playmaker and return Edwards to an off-ball scorer who can get more catch-and-shoot opportunities.
• Coaching staff point to analytics and fit with LaMelo, noting examples such as Kon Kuppel shooting about seven percentage points better from three with LaMelo on the floor and the potential to create lob chances for Rudy Gobert.
• The deal cost frontcourt depth and draft flexibility after moves that sent Naz Reid and Julius Randle elsewhere, leaving Trey Lyles as the team’s primary natural power forward and Will Barton promoted to player-development duties.
• Risks remain heading into training camp because LaMelo carries durability and defensive questions and his large contract limits roster flexibility, so Minnesota will test small-lineup rotations and shifts for Jaden McDaniels to cover interior minutes.