Offseason Report Card: Timberwolves get three As, two Bs and a C for offseason moves

1. Anthony Edwards Extension

Signed Anthony Edwards to a maximum rookie extension

Three No. 1 picks have made their way through the Minnesota Timberwolves in recent years. Karl-Anthony Towns is an offensive powerhouse but a fringe All-Star; Andrew Wiggins struggled to put his gifts together and seems better cast as an elite role player than a star player. Anthony Edwards, though, has true superstar potential.

After a rookie season so inefficient it cast doubt on his ability to score for a good team, Edwards has improved each and every season. Last season he averaged 24.6 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, improving as a shooter and confidently taking the mantle of No. 1 scorer. Defensively he needs to apply himself consistently, but when he’s locked in he is a difference-maker on that end. He’s much more Paul George than Monta Ellis when it comes to his two-way impact.

After a summer as Team USA’s best player, Edwards should only continue to improve. Is his ceiling Top-15 player in the league, a Donovan Mitchell type of scoring wing? Or can he break through even that to start competing for MVPs? Those are the kinds of questions the Wolves get to ask and dream about.

That makes it a slam-dunk move to lock him up for the next five years after this one, and even more of a win that there is no player option on the deal. If Edwards makes an All-NBA team this season the cost will increase, but even then he’ll likely be a bargain if he has taken that sort of leap.

Grade: A