NBA Insider Hints at Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves Moving to Eastern Conference After Expansion

NBA expansion could cause a major shake-up for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards.

NBA Insider Hints at Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves Moving to Eastern Conference After Expansion

Shams Charania spoke on Anthony Edwards and his team (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Anthony Edwards' Minnesota Timberwolves may move to the Eastern Conference if the NBA expands.
  • Expansion discussions include adding teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, with a vote expected soon.
  • The Timberwolves are currently in a playoff race, sitting sixth in the Western Conference without Edwards.

There is no doubt that Anthony Edwards is one of the best players in the NBA today. Drafted as the number one pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA draft, Edwards has shown that he is the face of the franchise and can lead them for years to come.

It has been three decades since the last time the NBA had undergone an expansion. There have been talks of adding two more franchises over the last few years. While the idea was floating around, there were no major talks about it until recently.

NBA Insider Shams Charania made an appearance on the Old Man and the Three podcast and revealed that the Timberwolves could move to the Eastern Conference if the league approved expansion.

When I talk to people around the league it’s likely going to be Minnesota or Memphis. A little bit of a lean on Minnesota because there’s that cluster of MIN, IND, MIL, CHI. So, I have heard a lot of Minnesota chatter.

Shams Charania said on Old Man and the Three

According to Shams Charania, the NBA’s board of governors will hold a vote in the coming days regarding the expansion of the league to 32 teams. The two teams to be added are being explored in Seattle and Las Vegas. If that does come to fruition, they will be in the Western Conference. Hence, executives across the NBA expect the Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to move to the East.

The shake-up would see Anthony Edwards shifting conferences. The expansion is expected to take place from the 2028-29 season. Arguably the best player in the world, Edwards will be hoping to lift a championship in the next three seasons.

The Timberwolves are one of the contenders to come out of the West this season. Charania has broken several huge developments in the NBA over the last few years. Not so long, Edwards said he wanted Charania to give him a heads-up if a situation like the Luka Doncic trade happened with him. While this is not a trade, but it is a major shake-up and Edwards will be expecting a text from the ESPN Insider.

LeBron James denies interest in owning NBA expansion team

The 2025-26 campaign represents LeBron James‘ 23rd season in the NBA. An unprecedented number. While James has not shown too many signs of slowing down at 41 and is currently on a good run with the Los Angeles Lakers, he is at the backend of his career.

There have been several talks of James owning a team in Las Vegas after his retirement. Following the win over the Houston Rockets, the four-time champion was asked about being part of a bidding group on a Las Vegas team. James replied, “No, I’m not. Not at all.“

It was an idea that James did publicly entertain in the past. But it appears that he has no interest in being part of an ownership group anymore. Industry executives expect proposals in the $7 billion to $10 billion range for each expansion franchise.

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a tight playoff race

With Anthony Edwards ruled out for at least a week, the Timberwolves have played their last three games without their star player. They won the first two games before losing to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

The Timberwolves have suffered a slight blip in form over the last two weeks. They have won just three of their last eight matches. After finishing in the Western Conference Finals in their last two seasons, they will be hoping to go one better this year.

Anthony Edwards has no problem taking on double teams
Anthony Edwards (Image via Alan Horton/X)

Following their loss to the Trail Blazers, they dropped to sixth place in the Western Conference standings with a 43-28 record. They are just 2.5 games behind the Lakers, who are at third place. With just 11 games to go, the Western Conference is heating up and the seedings will be crucial when the postseason begins.

The Wolves have a tough run of fixtures coming up against the likes of Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. They will be hoping to have Edwards back for at least one of those games as they try to finish in the top four.

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