Anthony Edwards' newfound skill makes up for offseason departure

Amid the dog days of the NBA's offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks agreed to a mega-trade that sent former franchise stalwart Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a future first-rounder.

Upon trading Towns, the Wolves parted ways with one of the best 7-foot scorers of all time. While Towns poured in points during his tenure in Minnesota, his shooting set him apart from the premier bigs of the NBA's past. KAT knocked down 100 or more three-pointers in seven of nine seasons in Minneapolis. Furthermore, Towns held a 39.9 percent clip from beyond the arc as a Timberwolf—the 52nd-best rate in NBA history.

Of Minnesota's new acquisitions, Randle is a solid scorer and playmaker, yet he lacks the shooting chops to replicate Towns' void at the four. The former Knick averaged 22.6 points per game in New York, but only shot above 35 percent from beyond the arc in one of five seasons despite consistently hoisting five-plus triples per game. Conversely, DiVincenzo has proved to be an efficient, low-volume scorer in recent seasons.

Decreased spacing was a point of concern following the Towns-for-Randle swap. Minnesota already dealt with a non-shooting center in Gobert. Pairing a career 33.5 percent marksman with Gobert implied a foregone effort to maintain the same excellent three-point accuracy from a season ago (third in the NBA in 2023-24).

However, quite the opposite has occurred at the beginning of the 2024-25 season. The Timberwolves three-point percentage is nearly identical to last season. More importantly, Minnesota is making three more triples per game and attempting almost nine more.

Edwards' volume three-point shooting makes up for the loss of Towns

While Randle, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Naz Reid all deserve credit, Anthony Edwards is the catalyst in Minnesota's newfound propensity for three-pointers. Edwards is attempting a career-high 11.4 threes per game. To put matters in perspective, the 23-year-old swingman had never attempted more than 8.5 three-pointers per contest before the current season.

Again, increased volume is gratifying following a high connection rate a season ago. But it's most notable that Edwards' three-point percentage is up nearly seven points while almost doubling his attempts. Last season, the 6-foot-4 guard connected on 2.4 of 6.7 three-point attempts per game. This season, Edwards is knocking down 5.1 of his 11.4 attempts. Ant ranks fourth in the NBA in three-point attempts per game and is first in the league in total makes.

By himself, Edwards is making up for the loss of Towns long-range shooting prowess. Minnesota lost 2.2 three-pointers made, and 5.3 attempted after KAT's departure. Edwards has increased his volume by 2.7 and 4.7, respectively. Of course, it's valid to wonder what Edwards has exchanged for his increased diet of three-pointers.

The former first-overall pick is shooting fewer free throws (6.4 to 5.1 free throw attempts), driving to the rim less often (14.6 to 11.3 drives per game), and scoring fewer of his baskets from within 10 feet. However, to make up for Edwards' newfound preference for three-pointers, Randle now leads the team in free throw attempts, drives, and paint points per game.

Edwards likely won't continue to lead the league in three-point makes and attempts due to his vast scoring arsenal. He's too good of a driver and mid-range scorer to live behind the arc. Nevertheless, his fresh shot diet has more than made up for the loss of Towns.