What happened: Kendrick Perkins said on ESPN that the Minnesota Timberwolves may have to make a splash by the trade deadline to hold onto franchise star Anthony Edwards. He framed it as a warning that Minnesota cannot let history repeat itself and lose its cornerstone. The comments cast roster-building around Edwards as the team's central priority.

Why it matters: Edwards is the face of the franchise, and Perkins' point is that surrounding him with enough talent is what keeps a star committed long term. The pressure to upgrade the roster fits a Minnesota offseason already linked to blockbuster trade scenarios. How the front office answers that question shapes the team's direction entering 2026-27.

What to watch: Watch how Minnesota approaches the offseason and the upcoming trade deadline, and whether the front office adds the kind of complementary talent Perkins is calling for.