Watch: GM Matt Lloyd ready for start of Timberwolves' next chapter
KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News · Darren Wolfson · 2026-09-03T20:45:34+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Watch: GM Matt Lloyd ready for start of Timberwolves’ next chapter
The calendar has flipped to September, and for the Minnesota Timberwolves, that means the long wait is nearly over.
According to general manager Matt Lloyd, most of the roster is scheduled to return to the Twin Cities on Tuesday, beginning a three-week buildup to training camp later this month.
After an offseason filled with significant roster moves, evaluations and rehabilitation work, the organization is eager to see how its revamped group begins to come together.
“It’s an exciting period,” Lloyd said. “We get to see the results of all the offseason work starting Tuesday.”
***Click the video box above to watch our chat with Lloyd***
Among the newcomers drawing attention is wing Cody Williams, acquired in a trade just days before players return. Lloyd pointed to Williams’ pedigree as the No. 10 overall pick in 2024 and noted an impressive stretch late last season that caught the organization’s attention. The Wolves view Williams as a versatile defender capable of impacting multiple positions, and training camp will provide the first opportunity to evaluate how he fits into the rotation.
“There was a reason he was the 10th pick in the draft,” Lloyd said. “We’re going to get a chance to see it here start Tuesday and then take it into the preseason and see what type of role he can etch out.”
While Williams is one of the newest additions, much of the spotlight remains focused on point guard LaMelo Ball, whose arrival transformed Minnesota’s offseason. Lloyd said the organization performed extensive background work before completing the deal and consistently heard the same message from trusted sources throughout the league: Ball is a dedicated worker and a positive influence within a team environment. Since the trade became official, Lloyd has seen exactly that.
Ball has spent much of his summer inside the Wolves’ facility, receiving treatment, getting up shots and building relationships with his new teammates. Lloyd described him as an “energy giver” whose presence has helped create a positive atmosphere around the team.
“He’s been in there 90 percent of the day since the day we acquired him,” Lloyd said. “He’s a hard worker, an incredibly focused worker, and he creates an atmosphere of positive energy.”
One of the players helping Ball acclimate is franchise cornerstone Anthony Edwards. Lloyd praised Edwards for embracing a larger leadership role this summer, citing examples that included opening his home to Ball and helping organize a team trip to Paris. Rather than assigning leadership responsibilities to Edwards, Lloyd believes the four-time All-Star is naturally evolving into the type of leader championship teams require.
“That’s not like someone told him to do that,” Lloyd said. “That’s just him embracing the responsibility of leadership.”
Another storyline to monitor entering camp is the recovery of guard Donte DiVincenzo. Although Lloyd declined to place a timetable on a potential return from an Achilles tear, he was effusive in his praise of DiVincenzo’s commitment to rehabilitation. The veteran guard has remained a daily presence at the facility, focusing his competitive energy on recovering from injury while maintaining close ties with teammates and coaches.
Lloyd emphasized that DiVincenzo’s impact extends beyond statistics. The veteran was a starter throughout last season and has been an important contributor to Minnesota’s recent success. Whenever he is cleared to return, the Wolves expect him to remain fully integrated into the team’s culture and system.
The front office also faces several important contractual decisions in the months ahead, including extension eligibility for key veterans. Lloyd, however, made it clear that long-term decisions will largely depend on the results produced by the current group.
DiVincenzo is extension-eligible now through end of season, while Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert become eligible in October.