Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is at cusp of NBA greatness

After becoming an NBA All-Star for the first time last season, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is on the verge of having a career year heading into the fall. The 21-year-old is already on a trajectory to an NBA career that will be considered very very good. But entering his fourth NBA season, he truly stands at the cusp of NBA greatness.

Despite falling short in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Edwards led the eighth-seeded Timberwolves by averaging 31.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.0 rebounds on 48.2 percent shooting from the field in five games.

Edwards proved he can handle a bulk of the scoring load when Karl-Anthony Towns was injured, putting up a career-high 24.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in the regular season.

If the Timberwolves are able to remain relatively healthy throughout the 2023-24 NBA season, next year should be a more successful campaign as PF Karl-Anthony Towns hopes to return to form.

In fact, with a healthy return of SF Jaden McDaniels, the Timberwolves starting 5 could be one of the best groups of starters in the NBA.

Anthony Edwards is on the verge of having a career year

Coming off a relatively frustrating start to the season, Edwards eventually began to develop better chemistry with center Rudy Gobert and that should only grow during the offseason.

Even though the Timberwolves underperformed compared to preseason expectations, there is reason for optimism as Edwards continued to display elite potential. Much of the team’s struggles in the 2022-23 NBA season were components of injuries compounded with the unfamiliarity of competing together. The very fact of competing together helped this team develop chemistry. Now the group simply needs to stay healthy.

The former University of Georgia product is a candidate to compete for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup this summer, which would be another opportunity for him to showcase his dynamic ability.

It seems that the sky is the limit for Anthony Edwards.

Expect Minnesota Timberwolves to offer a max contract extension

Edwards is expected to receive a full max contract extension this summer and that would keep the former #1 overall pick with the Timberwolves for the foreseeable future.

Minnesota’s front office will likely offer a five-year contract worth approximately $204 million as Edwards becomes eligible for a rookie contract extension in the coming months.

With a potential agreement in place, there’s no doubt in my mind that Edwards will increase his production again and take another significant step as the franchise’s cornerstone.