Minnesota Timberwolves select Anthony Edwards at No. 1

ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves made their selection with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, after much speculation and trade rumors.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have selected Georgia guard/wing Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Edwards, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound wing, averaged 19 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game over the course of his 32-game college career. He shot splits of 40/29/77 but was absolutely electric for Georgia.

This pick comes after months of speculation and following a sequence of delays that placed the draft about four months later than it was originally intended to be, mostly in part due to COVID-19.

The Minnesota Timberwolves made it known that the first overall pick was available, and it will be interesting to see if Edwards is moved shortly after the draft in a package for an additional star player.

That said, he brings much upside to the wings and has incredible contact balance as a scorer. If Edwards can prove that he can impact winning, improving upon his shooting splits and becoming more engaged off-ball, the Timberwolves will have potentially landed another star-caliber player.

The Minnesota Timberwolves traded their 2021 first round pick in the D’Angelo Russell trade, but also own the 17th and 33rd overall picks which remain in the 2020 NBA Draft. Seemingly, those are also available via trade.

The Timberwolves passed on LaMelo Ball, who had gained steam as the potential first overall pick after he completed a series of impressive workouts among the top teams in the draft. In the past 48 hours, however, there seemed to be a shift back to Edwards, who is a more natural fit with the Timberwolves and their two stars.

Regardless, the NBA season is set to tip off in late December, and the Minnesota Timberwolves need to continue to build up the roster around their impressive young core of players.