MINNEAPOLIS -- Anthony Edwards reiterated several times how happy he was with the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves roster. And although he said he will miss his long-time teammate, Naz Reid, he is already developing chemistry with his new backcourt mate, LaMelo Ball.
"I'm going to miss Naz for sure, that's my brother," Edwards said at Wolves media day on Monday. "But I'm super happy about the changes in the locker room. Just a bunch of different mentalities, personalities. I think it's going to mesh well together."
After reaching the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years, the Wolves lost in the second round during the 2026 playoffs, prompting a more dramatic shift this summer. The team traded away Reid and forward Julius Randle to clear the way to acquire Ball from the Hornets and signed Jonathan Kuminga as a free agent, moves to make the team younger and, they believe, more dynamic.
Edwards said he was excited for the addition of Ball because he it would help him go back to his natural position at shooting guard.
"I feel like I'm a natural two guard at heart," Edwards said. "I never thought I could develop any point guard skills. I know [coach Chris Finch] harps on me passing the ball, but now we got LaMelo, so I'm happy."
With Ball playing next to him taking over the ball handling duties, Edwards said he believed he will have more energy to play defense.
"The last couple years I couldn't play defense as well as I wanted to because I was bringing the ball up," Edwards said. "At times, I had to score all the time. I was super tired, but now I got LaMelo, I got point guards. So, I don't really got to bring it up at all. I can go to the corner for three, four plays in a row and just guard the best players. This year I'm going to be great in my game a lot differently.
Ball spent the first six years of his career in Charlotte before being traded over the summer following one of his strongest seasons. In 72 games, he averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists as the Hornets had one of the best records in the league during the second half. Yet, Ball didn't acknowledge feeling surprised by the trade -- "I never really do surprises," he said -- instead, focusing on his budding bond with Edwards.
"Really, we got the same personality," Ball said. "Cool, confident, outgoing. That's my brother and I think we're going to be straight."
Edwards is coming off one of the best seasons of his young career as well. He put up a career-high 28.8 points on 48% shooting in 61 games during the regular season, but he was frustrated at times with constant double teams, especially during the playoffs.
However, during his news conference Monday, Edwards was asked about the Wolves having a short window to make their superstar happy.
"Who the superstar?" Edwards asked incredulously. "Me?"
"I didn't know nothing about that. I'm happy."