The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the bigger surprises in the NBA during the 2021-22 season. They defeated the LA Clippers in the first game of the NBA Play-In Tournament, earning the No. 7 seed and matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
While Minnesota was defeated in six games, they showed just how dangerous of a team they can be in the future. They had a great chance at actually advancing, as they held double-digit leads numerous times that they were unable to hold onto.
Looking to cement their status as a playoff contending team in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves made a blockbuster trade this offseason. They acquired three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, from the Utah Jazz. It was not cheap, as they traded Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Balmaro and Walker Kessler, in addition to four first-round picks with another pick swap included.
Gobert should help solidify the team on the defensive end, providing them an anchor. He will pair with Karl-Anthony Towns to make the best big man duo in the NBA. For a league trending toward playing small, Minnesota is going in the opposite direction and adding size to the lineup.
Ultimately, this team will go as far as Anthony Edwards can carry them. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft took another step forward in his sophomore season, improving his efficiency on the offensive end of the court, leading to him scoring 21.3 points per game.
He also pulled down 4.8 rebounds, handed out 3.8 assists and swiped 1.5 steals per game as Edwards is becoming more active in other areas than just scoring. That ascension to round out his game is what will elevate him toward the upper echelon of the league.
His performance went to another level in the postseason as well, as the bright lights of the playoffs didn’t phase him. In six games against a very good Grizzlies team, Edwards averaged 25.2 points on .455/.404/.824 shooting split, grabbing 4.2 rebounds with 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
Edwards is supremely confident in himself, but he knows he still needs a little more time to reach those heights. But, in his estimation, it won’t take too long.
“Yeah, for sure,” Edwards said. “I need another year. After this year, I think I’ll be in the [best player] conversation.”
Based on that timeline, Anthony Edwards believes that he will break into the conversation heading into the 2023-24 season. If he can help lead the Timberwolves back to the postseason for a second straight year and win their first series since 2004, he will insert himself into the conversation as being one of the best players in the NBA.
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