“Look out for the little guy.”
When talking about the Minnesota Timberwolves, the little guy is Ant-Man, better known as All-Star 21-year-old shooting guard Anthony Edwards.
There was never any question over the Minnesota Timberwolves interest in making SG Anthony Edwards a very wealthy young man. The biggest question was . . . when would it happen? Well, we know the answer to that question today, as the Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards have agreed on a five-year deal that could end up paying out as much as $260 million.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has agreed on a five-year designated rookie maximum deal that could be worth $260 million, his agents Bill Duffy and Joe Branch of WME tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/d0UTdqFgD9
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2023
It was clear throughout the 2022-23 NBA season that Anthony Edwards is something special. Not only did he lead the team in scoring, but he upped his game on the defensive half of the basketball court as well. And despite serious injuries on two separate occasions, Edwards toughed it out and only missed three games all season.
Edwards was not just focused on his on-court dealings. Earlier this year, he fired his agent and hired new representation to handle his contract negotiations. Apparently, he wanted everything to go off without a hitch.
Timberwolves trust Edwards to lead this team going forward
Productive, versatile, gritty, tough. Those are not just the players you add to the Timberwolves roster. Those are the players that you gladly build the entire Timberwolves roster around. Now, with Edwards signed sealed, and delivered, the Timberwolves can turn their negotiating team to extending small forward Jaden McDaniels as well.
Edwards stepped into the spotlight throughout the season as he fought double teams, an ever-changing Timberwolves lineup, and even had to master his own kaleidoscope roles as the team tried to find the best ball-handler to take over from dissatisfied PG D’Angelo Russell.
Now, his contractual terms are being reported as “As much as $260 million” but as Dane Moore, NBA Analyst and Timberwolves senior capologist reminds everyone, that only occurs under specific conditions:
When you're seeing Anthony Edwards' max contract be 5 years, $260M, that is only if he makes All-NBA this season.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) July 3, 2023
If he doesn't make All-NBA, it will be 5 years, $217M -- a *big* factor in the future sustainability of this roster.
Here are what the numbers look like if 5-$260M pic.twitter.com/JVV2M4IIDt
Right now, the contract is worth five years and $217 million. But there is plenty of incentive for him to make the All-NBA team, as that bumps him up another $43 million.
Paying SG Anthony Edwards was always going to happen. Now that it has, the Timberwolves have their star shooting guard under contract for the next five seasons. How do you feel about this deal?