Charlie Walton

Joined: Jul 17, 2026

Charlie Walton has covered the Minnesota Timberwolves for over four years. He got his start writing for Zone Coverage as a junior in high school. Since then, he has written for SB Nation's Canis Hoopus and built a personal social media brand that blends interactive graphics with unique long-form analysis. Charlie is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he is majoring in journalism. His work has been featured on ESPN, WCCO, and Bleacher Report.

Jonathan Kuminga made his (preseason) Timberwolves debut Monday night in Milwaukee and looked like the offensive threat Minnesota needs him to be this season. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards has the talent necessary to win MVP, and he could do it this season. But he isn't focused on doing so, and that is good. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

We won't know if LaMelo Ball will work with the Timberwolves until they start playing games that count. But for now, the early results of having him on the team look very promising. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

What role will Trey Lyles play this season for the Timberwolves? He still appears to have gas left in the tank as a 10-year NBA veteran, but he might still not be a rotational piece in Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards has already proven himself as a superstar, but he must defend at a consistently high level, embrace an off-ball role, and be even better in the clutch this season for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Anthony Edwards is 25 and already a superstar. He is ahead of the curve. Still, there are three non-negotiables that Edwards must excel at or improve on this season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chris Finch believes his current roster gives him the flexibility to get creative and expand his rotation, which could help patch a potential hole for the Timberwolves entering the season. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Timberwolves are not planning on filling their 15th and final roster spot. What does that mean for them, and why would they decide not to with a potentially concerning roster hole still looming?

The Timberwolves will need Joan Beringer in their rotation this season, but they are still holding the teenage big man to high standards. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Joan Beringer is fearless. He wants to block every shot possible. But in order to have the best possible season for the Timberwolves, he must refine his approach, and the team is well aware of that.

Kawhi Leonard is still a great player, but it is a good thing the Timberwolves—who reportedly had interest in trading for him this summer—did not land him. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Kawhi Leonard, even at 35 years old, is still a great two-way player. But he is not what the Timberwolves needed this summer, which is why it is a good thing they did not land him.

If things go right for Jonathan Kuminga and the Timberwolves, they could reach a level together that has them legitimately competing for a championship. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

If things go right for Jonathan Kuminga and the Timberwolves, they cold legitimately compete for a championship. But if things go south, this could end up being a short-term partnership.

LaMelo Ball has a concerning injury history in the NBA, but the Minnesota Timberwolves were right not to let that deter them from trading for him this summer. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

The concern about LaMelo Ball's injury history is legitimate. But the Timberwolves were right in not letting that deter them from trading for him.

The Timberwolves drafted Trey Kaufman-Renn 59th overall in this year's draft. But now, the former Purdue Boilermaker is pursuing a return to college basketball. What does that mean for the Wolves? Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Trey Kaufman-Renn, the Timberwolves' No. 59 pick from this summer's draft, is seeking a return to college. What does that mean for Minnesota?

Kevin Love is no longer the All-Star-caliber player that the Minnesota Timberwolves traded for over a decade ago, but he could still help a young Wolves team this season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Kevin Love left the Timberwolves over a decade ago and won a championship. Now, the team that drafted him could use his leadership, shooting abilities, and the feel-good story that signing him would bring.

Jonathan Kuminga will be asked not only to do what he's good at, but also to do the things that don't show up in the box score.

The Timberwolves see a world where Jonathan Kuminga is a long-term piece in the Twin Cities. But in order for his next contract to be in Minnesota, he must play a certain way.

Jaylen Clark believes he will have a great season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But for that to happen, he must be featured in what needs to be a deep rotation from Chris Finch. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The newcomers to the Timberwolves this season, LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga, will be playing larger or more important roles than they have previously in the NBA. To manage their minutes, Chris Finch must run a deep rotation.

Cody Williams has underachieved expectations after the Jazz selected him in the lottery two years ago. But with his versatile defense and upside, the Minnesota Timberwolves keeping Williams after acquiring him via a trade makes sense. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired veteran John Konchar and the young, underwhelming Cody Williams. Why did Minnesota chose to keep Williams over Konchar? It makes sense for these three reasons.

With LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga replacing Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the Minnesota Timberwolves' rotation, here is one way that Chris Finch could deploy his new talent. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Tim Connelly did his job this summer by acquiring LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. Now, it is up to Chris Finch to do his and figure out how all of his talent fits together — here is one mock Timberwolves rotation that could work well.

Charlie Walton

Joined: Jul 17, 2026

Timberwolves Stock Up, Stock Down After Preseason Win Over Bucks

Anthony Edwards Isn't Thinking About Winning MVP (and That's Good)

Timberwolves' Early LaMelo Ball Returns Already Look Promising

Breaking Down Trey Lyles' Now-Cloudy Timberwolves Outlook

3 Non-Negotiables Anthony Edwards Must Deliver for Timberwolves This Season

The Wolves Don’t Plan on Signing Another Player; What That Means for Them

Timberwolves Giving Joan Beringer Perfect Push Before the Season

Why the Timberwolves Not Trading for Kawhi Is a Good Thing

What Could Go Right and Wrong for Wolves With Jonathan Kuminga This Season

LaMelo Ball Injury Concerns Are Valid, but He's Worth the Risk

What Latest Trey Kaufman-Renn Update Means for Timberwolves

What the Timberwolves Would Be Getting in Signing Kevin Love

How Jonathan Kuminga Could Turn Into a Long-Term Wolves Piece

Why a Deeper Rotation Is Imperative for Timberwolves to Begin the Season

3 Reasons Keeping Cody Williams Makes Sense for the Timberwolves

What the Timberwolves' Entire Rotation Could Look Like at Start of This Season