It can't be stressed enough just how much the Minnesota Timberwolves trading for LaMelo Ball benefits Anthony Edwards. Last season, Ant's offensive burden was simply too heavy in both the creation and playmaking departments. Ball changes that, giving Edwards a true lead guard and high-end playmaker in the backcourt.
The addition of LaMelo will open up opportunities for Edwards to score in more ways. Furthermore, Ball also allows Ant to conserve more energy for the defensive end of the floor. As things stand, Edwards is a top-five-level player.
Nevertheless, for Edwards to fully establish himself as a clear top-five player and generally improve his standing in the league's hierarchy, he must fulfill his defensive upside. Ant improving on defense would, in turn, also help the Timberwolves be better positioned to win at the highest level.
Thankfully, Edwards has all the tools needed to succeed, and LaMelo alleviating the pressure off Ant on offense could help him unlock his two-way abilities.
Ball's offensive presence can help Edwards elevate as a defender
There's no way around it: the Timberwolves need more from Edwards on defense after a shaky defensive season. Last season, the Timberwolves' defense was 5.7 points per 100 possessions worse with Edwards on the court, which ranked in the 12th percentile per Cleaning the Glass. Ant often was disengaged off the ball. He would frequently get back cut and struggled with screen navigation.
Without a doubt, Ant needs to be more disciplined on defense, especially with LaMelo's defensive deficiencies. The onus is on Edwards to improve his defensive habits. And right now it's fair to say this is a question mark.
However, there's no denying that Edwards' heavy offensive load contributed to his lackluster defensive season, and frankly, he has never had an ideal amount of offensive support. As such, while Edwards will have more defensive responsibilities, he'll also have more energy to commit to the defensive side of the floor, thanks to Ball, and this could be a game-changer.
Lead executive Tim Connelly has referred to Edwards as the league's best two-way guard. You can see this potential in flashes (especially in high-leverage moments), and with his athletic tools, Ant clearly could truly earn this title.
In spurts, Edwards has proven to be a highly disruptive on-ball defender. While Jaden McDaniels feels poised to continue guarding opposing teams' best players, Edwards can take on the second-most-difficult matchup and perhaps even guard some fours.
If Edwards can more consistently make his impact felt on the ball, and remain more engaged off the ball, he'll look like a genuine two-way superstar, perhaps even the best two-way guard in the league. Undoubtedly, this would elevate Edwards' spot in the NBA's hierarchy, and simultaneously make the Timberwolves a more complete team.
Regular-season-wise, the actualized version of Ant on both ends of the floor could propel them to a top-three seed and could make him a legitimate MVP candidate. And while Edwards has largely been a high-level playoff defender, if he elevates further, this could help the Timberwolves get over the championship hump.
At the very least, LaMelo's presence gives Ant a clear chance to fulfill his two-way upside -- for the sake of both him and the team, he needs to take advantage of this opportunity.
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