ANTHONY EDWARDS – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Call Me “Doubtful Dave,” But No LeBron to Minneapolis

Posted on July 10, 2026July 10, 2026 by David Shama

LeBron James playing for the Timberwolves next season?

Chances are slim and none.

And slim just left the building at 600 First Avenue North.

James, the greatest age 40-plus player in NBA history, is looking for a new home after playing his last eight seasons with the Lakers. Reportedly 27 of 30 league teams have contacted James’ agent about his availability after averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 60 games last season.

Rich Paul, James’ agent, revealed a shorter list of possibilities earlier this month that included the Timberwolves. Local fans are hopeful the 41-year-old will fill the team’s glaring need for a power forward and join a four-some of Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert in a lineup that could propel the Wolves into a top five NBA team.

Fuhgeddaboudit.

If I am wrong I will push a basketball with my nose on the sidewalk outside Target Center before the start of next season.

ESPN insider Shams Charania said recently the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers are the top three choices for landing spots. I would throw in the Golden State Warriors for a top four of possibilities.

All of the above, except perhaps the Warriors, make so much more sense than the Wolves. An Akron, Ohio native, James could close the circle of his career by joining the Cavs, the team that drafted him in 2003. He’s never severed his northeast Ohio ties and besides the emotional connection the Cavs have a talented roster.

In Miami, James would experience another homecoming. He played for Heat front office legend Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra. They are still running the show in south Florida and James could form a Herculean front line with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Heat, with that threesome, would join the top five gang, too.

Nobody is blowing smoke to speculate James would elevate the 76ers to elite title contenders. A starting lineup of stars would include guards Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey, center Joel Embiid and James. The offensive might of that group probably moves the 76ers ahead of the World Champion New York Knicks as Eastern Conference favorites in 2027.

A title would be much more difficult to attain if James goes to San Francisco and joins the Warriors. Coach Steve Kerr’s team has a big need for James, and he could be part of a dynamic duo with superstar guard Steph Curry, his former Olympic teammate. Then, too, forward Draymond Green is one of James’ best friends. James has a passion for golf and some of the world’s best are in the Bay Area, but Warrior fans are probably whistling on the water about getting the “King.”

Regardless of who James signs a deal with, his compensation will be drastically reduced from past earnings. That’s because of the NBA salary cap, with estimates he can earn between $3.9 million and about $16 million next season. The Wolves could offer only $3.9 million, per a story today by ESPN.com’s Bobby Marks and Brian Windhorst.

Your nose-pushing basketball writer believes in storybook endings and thinks James will choose a return to Ohio where he has a mansion and all kinds of favorite things including Ohio State football.

Timberwolves owner Alex Rodrgiuez — Alex Rodriguez

Sorry, the Wolves connections to James run a wee bit less. Owner Alex Rodriguez has a relationship with Paul and his Klutch Sports Group.

It’s a tantalizing treat, though, to think of James in a Wolves uniform. His ability to run the floor, outlet pass to teammates, power his way to the basket with brute strength, deliver thunderous dunks and float three-point shots into the basket would have brought the house down at the old gym on First Avenue.

It would be the “ShowTime Wolves” with the jaw dropping passes from James and newly acquired point guard Ball. And imagine, too, the acrobatic show of Edwards swooping to the rim or cross over dribbling, the two-way athleticism of McDaniels and the in your face defense of Gobert.

The James impact on team leadership and decision-making would have been less subtle but just as valued. Known as a team that self-inflicts problems, the unselfish James would make the Wolves far more consistent and intelligent in their play.

Alas, at what might have been.

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LaMelo Ball’s Injury History Casts Shadow on Wolves Trade

Posted on June 25, 2026June 25, 2026 by David Shama

High risk and high reward.

That’s the only way to look at the Timberwolves acquisition of All-Star guard LaMelo Ball in a trade that sends fan favorite and forward Naz Reid to the Hornets.

Wolves’ front office leader Tim Connelly has been searching for a quality point guard to lead his team and take the playmaking burden off superstar Anthony Edwards. Ball is a spectacular playmaker that can have teammates and fans marveling at his showmanship performances.

The concern is availability. Since being drafted by the Hornets in 2020 (he went No. 3 overall and Edwards No. 1), he has missed a lot of games. Last season he played a near career high of 72 out of 82 games but previous seasons the totals were: 47, 22, 36 , 75 and 51.

Ankle injuries have been troublesome. That’s a worrisome history for a 24-year-old, with logic suggesting lower body injuries can become more frequent and last longer as an athlete ages.

Connelly is banking on Ball continuing the trend of the 2025-2026 season. Playing most of the season, he averaged 20.2 points per game and 7.1 assists. The 6-7 veteran also averaged nearly 5 rebounds per game.

The acquisition of Ball gives the Wolves an athletic and young starting core, other than 7-1 center Rudy Gobert who turns 34 tomorrow. Guard Ayo Dosunmu and forward Jaden McDaniels, ages 24 and 25 respectively, would be part of the starting five if Minnesota were to play a game today. Edwards, one of the league’s top players, is also 24.

As the roster is constructed now, Connelly is taking the risk that by trading two power forwards this month in Reid and Julius Randle, the Wolves will still have enough size to rebound and defend effectively. Right now McDaniels, listed at 6-9 and 185 pounds, looks like the new power forward while the 6-4 Edwards may slide into the small forward position.

Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves player — Anthony Edwards photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves

A basketball insider told Sports Headliners he didn’t think the transition would be a problem for Edwards and that he can benefit from the presence of an elite point guard. “No question he’s the guy that stirs the drink for them,” he said speaking anonymously.

The source faulted the Wolves for not playing hard enough and lacking togetherness in the playoffs last spring as they won an opening series but then lost to the Spurs in the next round. “They had to make some (personnel) moves,” he said.

With Connelly in power there could be other transactions coming. He showed from his first months on the job in 2022 a willingness to make bold moves when he made the blockbuster trade bringing Gobert to Minneapolis while sending a boatload of players and draft choices to the Jazz.

Worth Noting

Ari Peterson, the basketball player who is transferring from Minnetonka High School to a national prep power in New York, has the admiration of former Skippers coach Brian Cosgriff who raves about her athleticism. Peterson, the daughter of Vikings legend Adrian Peterson, will be a junior next school year at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville.

The school plays a national schedule and produces McDonald’s All-Americans. Peterson may flourish in her new home, but she will face challenges. “I am a little nervous for her because I hope she goes on to do great things,” said Cosgriff who coached Peterson as a ninth grader. “It’s risky to some degree, in my opinion. …”

Maddyn Greenway, daughter of former Viking linebacker Chad Greenway, recently was named the 2025-2026 MaxPreps Female National Athlete of the Year. At Providence Academy she won 13 state titles in three sports including basketball and this fall will be at Kentucky on a basketball scholarship.

Cosgriff, retired from coaching after winning eight girls basketball state championships at Hopkins and Minnetonka, knew Greenway as a seventh grader at Providence Academy where he was a teacher. He said she could have been a “great receiver” in football. “I had her in gym class and when we played football, she was the best player out there, boys or girls.”

Congratulations to Mr. Baseball and Ms. Softball Award winners Connor Finn, the left-handed pitcher from Mahtomedi High School (committed to Texas Tech University) and Avery Muellner, the right-handed pitcher and first baseman from Forest Lake High School (committed to the University of St. Thomas). They were honored after the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and Minnesota All Sports Alliance had announced 16 finalists for the awards earlier in the month.

Fox 9 sports reporter and anchor Dawn Mitchell will have a feature on Minnesota sports icon Dick Jonckowski starting at 10:30 p.m. on July 3.

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Kyler Murray Mystery Maybe Decided Prior to Training Camp

Posted on May 16, 2026May 16, 2026 by David Shama

There is no off-season for Vikings fans. Speculation swirls now on who the Vikings starting quarterback will be in 2026. And when will that be known.

J.J. McCarthy’s disappointing 2025 season and the acquisition in March of Kyler Murray has caused a buzz from Vikings fans. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is on record as wanting competition for the starting job, but it seems reasonable that before Murray signed on as a free agent he was assured of a sold (or better than that) opportunity to be No.1.

After all, the 28-year-old Murray is a seven seasons NFL veteran, while the 23-year-old McCarthy’s pro experience totals one season. Although the Cardinals gave up on Murray, his resume and profile instill optimism among those who want to feel it. In 2019 he was the Pro Football Offensive Rookie of the Year. Twice in his career he was a Pro Bowler.

As the Vikings go through meetings and on field practices prior to the start of training camp (expected in late July) it’s certain O’Connell will learn a lot about what he has in Murray who has underwhelmed as a pro with inconsistent play and injuries.

The coach will see how quickly and effectively his new quarterback picks up the complex Viking offense. That’s no small adjustment for a quarterback who drew past criticism for his study habits with the Cardinals.

Murray will also need to learn how to play more under center than in Arizona where he was in the shotgun formation. O’Connell likes to use his quarterback under center at times to promote play-action as part of his West Coast offense.

That’s not to suggest the head coach and quarterback whisperer won’t tailor some of the offense around his new player. Listed at 5-10 and 207 pounds, Murray has quickness of foot and running ability that can bedevil opponents. Murray will need to show he can become adept with whatever new offensive wrinkles are put in place.

Before training camp there will be minicamp next month where O’Connell will evaluate how the former Oklahoma Sooner quarterback performs with his receivers. That list of pass catchers, of course, includes superstar WR Justin Jefferson who seems to have the head coach’s “ear.”

Then, too, there will be an awareness by O’Connell and his coaches about how Murray is fitting in with his teammates. Does he have rapport with them? Is he emerging as a team leader?

It will be much clearer to the Vikings staff, even before spring turns to summer, what they have in Murray who has a career passing rating of 92.2 which is in the average range. Four times in his career he has thrown for over 3,500 yards. In 2,941 passing attempts he has totaled 121 TD passes with 60 interceptions.

O’Connell may well have a good handle in the next few weeks whether Murray will be his guy and build on his stats and resume in 2026.

Worth Noting

Anthony Edwards after his Timberwolves lost their playoff series in six games to the Spurs: “I mean, I just tip my hat to them. They were just a better team.”

In the 139-109 loss last night to the Spurs at Target Center, Edwards scored a team-high 24 points and had three steals. The 24-year-old’s 17 career playoff games with 20-plus points and 2-plus steals are the fifth most in NBA Playoff history by a player before the age of 25.

The Spurs had a 60-29 rebounding advantage in the blowout win.

Despite losing an overtime series ending game on Wednesday night, Wild fans can be elated about the team’s future. Minnesota lost a 3-1 lead with less than four minutes remaining in regulation against the Avs who went on to win 4-3 in OT in Game 5 of their Stanley Cup second round playoff match up.

Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizove — Kirill Kaprizov

The Wild’s roster is the most talented in franchise history. A quality center and better defensive depth are needed but there’s a lot to like including rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt, and a pair of superstars in forward Kirill Kaprizov and defenseman Quinn Hughes (who ownership is determined to re-sign). This team is among the best in the NHL and a championship window is in place for several years.

The Wild lost to a team that is likely the best in the NHL. A Minnesota nemesis was Avs superstar forward Nathan MacKinnon. He scored the tying goal sending the game into overtime and it was a shot most mortals can’t make.

The Wild can enjoy advancing to the second round for the first time since 2015, defeating a Stars team that is outstanding and delivering a competitive series with the Avs.

Look for the University of Minnesota, including athletic director Mark Coyle and head football coach P.J. Fleck, to make a reasonable and fair decision regarding Drake Lindsey after things are sorted out with the starting quarterback’s reported recent arrest in Arkansas for underage drinking and possessing fake identification. Lindsey, BTW, turns 21 on August 5.

FOX 9 sports reporter and anchor Dawn Mitchell will have a feature on Minnesota sports icon Dick Jonckowski Tuesday with the segment scheduled to air about 10:15 p.m.

Ross Bernstein, the Minnesota-based sports author and nationally sought public speaker, announced good news on LinkedIn earlier this week. He recently had his last chemotherapy treatment and is upbeat about not having a cancer recurrence. He’s been through a 10-month ordeal after doctors discovered tennis ball size tumors in his colon and liver. In college he wanted to play for the hockey Gophers, but when that didn’t work, he became the team’s mascot, Goldy Gopher.

The Capital Club breakfast group will hear about “The Booming Business of Golf” on Wednesday, May 27 at Mendakota Country Club. The sport is experiencing a resurgence locally and nationally. Golf experts Laura Frick, Championship Director KMPG Women’s PGA Championship, Jon Mays, Executive Director Minnesota Golf Association; and Jennifer Hines, Assistant Tournament Director 3M Open, will discuss the trend. For more information, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Longtime Creative Charters owner Steve Erban has been flying Golden Gophers fans to games for decades. He’s more than impressed with Niko Medved, who took over as men’s basketball coach about 14 months ago. He’s predicting 14 Minnesota wins on the 20-game regular season schedule for 2026-2027!

The company that started in 1993 will offer its first fan trip to see the football Gophers play Washington in Seattle on September 26. The trip has a lot to offer including a three-hour gameday “Sailgate” on the Spirit of Seattle, with the boat docking near Husky Stadium. The Gophers and Huskies haven’t played each other since 1977.

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