Timberwolves keep Edwards, Randle, Gobert core as Shannon steps up

The Minnesota Timberwolves enter the 2025-26 season insisting on continuity around a familiar core while handing a meaningful opportunity to one of their youngest rotation players. Coming off consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances, Minnesota suffered a 126-120 preseason loss to the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 16, but coaching staff and players said the broader preseason has reinforced a clear plan: keep the spine of Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert intact and rely on internal growth to provide the next push toward the franchise’s first trip to the NBA Finals.

That approach gained urgency this summer when reserve guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker departed in a sign-and-trade, creating a rotation opening behind Edwards. Second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr., the 27th pick in 2024, has emerged as the leading candidate to fill that role. Shannon’s athleticism, length and defensive aggressiveness drew praise after he supplied timely energy late in last season’s playoff run, and he continued that momentum in preseason action. “I feel like I’m better all around,” Shannon said, describing adjustments to NBA speed, team defenses and tendencies. He added that repeated...