Chris Finch Explains How T-Wolves Did Anthony Edwards a 'Disservice,' LaMelo Ball Trade Will Help

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch believed the team made the wrong move relying on Anthony Edwards as a point guard last season, which contributed to this summer's trade for LaMelo Ball.

"We probably did Anthony a disservice last year, at times, playing him as a point guard," he said on the Road Trippin' Show (12:30 mark). "It caught up to us. He did a really great job, but in the playoffs it was just double team after double team. We got to get him back to his natural position off the ball. We didn't create enough catch-and-shoot threes for him and when you look at the numbers with LaMelo on the floor with his teammates and the efficiency and the production, I mean Kon Knueppel shot seven percent higher from the three-point line with LaMelo on the floor than he did without. I mean that's a massive stat for a great shooter and that's a big bump for a great shooter. ... And obviously LaMelo's a phenomenal talent all by himself. We needed the connective tissue. We needed the point guard play."

Finch also noted that he's hoping Ball helps unlock center Rudy Gobert as more of a lob threat.

As for Edwards, the 25-year-old superstar had his best statistical season in 2025-26, averaging career highs in points (28.8 PPG), shooting percentage (48.9 percent) and three-point shooting (39.9 percent), though his playmaking (3.7 APG) and rebounding (5.0 RPG) were down slightly from the season prior.

But Edwards was such a focal point of the offense that it eventually came to the detriment of the team, as the San Antonio Spurs double-teamed him relentlessly in a six-game elimination during the Western Conference Semifinals.

"It was no struggle," Edwards told reporters at the time regarding the double teams. "Just trusting in my teammates, trusting in the next action we're going to make something happen. And I feel like we did, man. We just couldn't make enough shots to win the game. I think that's just what it came down to."

Ball will add a new dimension, however, adding high-level playmaking (7.3 APG in his career) and more perimeter shooting (36.8 percent from three last season). His injury history is a concern, but he played 72 games last season and averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists per game. He'll give Minnesota an excellent second option, certainly upgrading on Julius Randle in that regard.

The Timberwolves also have an excellent supporting cast surrounding them in Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu and Donte DiVincenzo, among others. The roster balance appears to be in a good place.

But much will come down to how Edwards and Ball fit together. The hope is that the latter helps take some of the pressure off Edwards.