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As the playoffs continue, the Minnesota Timberwolves battle the Denver Nuggets to make the second round in the Western Conference. It’s a battle of two generational talents, though the Wolves have not done enough to build around their star, Anthony Edwards. He can’t win a chip on his own<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While it seems like a lifetime ago, the Wolves selected Edwards first in the COVID-delayed 2020 draft. He made his debut with the team in December 2020, quickly proving he’s the legend in the making everyone thought he would be. There was even an online theory that he’s Michael Jordan’s son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Minnesota missed the playoffs in 2021, but they have made the cut every year since, largely thanks to the gameplay of Edwards. This has led to back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals, with the Wolves currently playing for a third trip this postseason.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Standing in their way is Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. They knocked the Wolves out of the first round of the playoffs in 2023. Minnesota got them back in 2024 by eliminating Denver in the second round. The 2026 playoffs are the third postseason meeting between Edwards and Jokic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unfortunately, not enough has changed in Minnesota in recent years to get them over the hump. The Wolves picked up Rudy Gobert in 2022, who is a strong defensive presence regardless of what Draymond Green thinks. Then, they traded Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In reality, those are the only substantial moves the Wolves have made to build around Edwards. Gobert is on the wrong side of 30 and already declining in some stats. Trading KAT for Randle was even at best and definitely not an improvement. Beyond that, Minnesota hasn’t done much.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Edwards is already great, and he’s just going to get better. He still needs a team around him that can actually contribute. When he’s injured, the Wolves are mediocre on a good day, and that’s being generous. This team does not have the firepower to get past the best the West has to offer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even if the Wolves make the WCF for a third year in a row, they’ll likely take on either the Lakers or the Thunder. Minnesota is not beating those teams in a playoff. If they want a shot at a championship with Edwards at the helm, it’s time the Wolves made some big roster moves to find the next gear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nThe Timberwolves don’t have enough firepower win it all<\/h2>\n