Anthony Edwards' award ineligibility is clearly a blessing in disguise

After missing Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons due to knee soreness (and an illness), Anthony Edwards became ineligible for regular season awards. At the surface level, this is unfortunate as Ant can't add another accomplishment to his already impressive résumé. 

Edwards is having a career-best season, averaging 29.3 points, and he would certainly earn a spot on an All-NBA team, perhaps even All-NBA first team (an honor he has yet to earn). Plus, he could have won Clutch Player of the Year. In reality, though, this is small potatoes for Ant-Man and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

All season long, Edwards has made it clear that his goal for this season has nothing to do with individual honors and everything to do with bringing home an NBA championship. You might think this goal is far-fetched and that's fine. Nevertheless, for the Wolves to have any chance to make a deep playoff run and win a championship, they obviously need Ant to be 100 percent. 

Ant has been banged up all year, most recently, missing six games with a knee injury. There's simply no reason to risk further injury, especially during a back-to-back. What's the reward? A meaningless honor and a chance to earn a slightly higher seed. Yeah, the Wolves have bigger fish to fry. 

Edwards being healthy in the playoffs is the only thing that matters

We all know what Anthony Edwards is capable of in the playoffs. He has been the driving force for a team that's made back-to-back conference finals and is averaging 26.9 points for his playoff career. If Ant enters the playoffs in tip-top shape, you can't put a limit on his and the Wolves' ceiling. 

Conversely, if Ant enters the playoffs banged up and fatigued from a grueling regular season, he might not play up to his elite standards, and in turn, the Wolves could be sent packing early. 

Edwards has been remarkably durable throughout his career, missing nine games in the previous three seasons before this year. Frankly, this level of durability isn't realistic to expect from any player, and Ant was bound to have a season where he missed some time.

Luckily, Edwards' injury isn't overly serious, and all signs point to him being ready to go for the playoffs. If he needs to sit out another game or two down the stretch to feel comfortable, that's fine.

All in all, the priority is clear for Ant and the Wolves: Make another deep playoff run. And to accomplish this goal, Edwards being 100 percent is vital. If this costs Ant an individual honor, so be it; he doesn't care, and neither should you.