The Minnesota Timberwolves made a splash in the 2020 NBA Draft by selecting Anthony Edwards with the first pick. During his tenure with the Timberwolves, which has now spanned five seasons, Edwards has continually navigated a landscape of roster changes. As the organization solidifies its new core around this talented player, a crucial question arises: Have the Wolves equipped Edwards enough for him to reach his full potential?
In the ever-changing world of the NBA, executive offices face the challenge of quickly building a team that complements their cornerstone as soon as they identify one. While identifying the best players to form a competitive team is fundamental, it is equally crucial to ensure that these players form a cohesive unit that amplifies the abilities of the star. This often involves creating an environment that minimizes their weaknesses, whether by surrounding them with complementary pieces or devising game strategies that compensate for their shortcomings.
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Getting a franchise player is just the beginning; the real challenge lies in sculpting optimized team dynamics to maximize their impact. Unique superstars like Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić provide their teams with a certain degree of freedom, allowing slight flaws in coaching or team building to be masked with their extraordinary skills. Jokić’s unrivaled passing game and Dončić’s exceptional play intuition set them apart, creating openings for success even amid imperfections.
Take for example Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors’ success is attributed not only to Curry’s shooting brilliance, but also to carefully designed offensive schemes and strong support that enhance his abilities. Their dynamic attack relies on coordinated movements, burst actions and timely transmissions, illustrating the need for a balanced unit capable of fully exploiting the strengths of each player.
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At just 23 years old, Edwards still has plenty of room for improvement. His debut showed immense raw talent required of an NBA superstar, however, uncertainties surrounding his on-court decision-making and instincts made his journey intriguing. Physical power and shooting skills alone will not be enough in the demanding environment of professional basketball.
Having first favored football in his youth, Edwards encountered challenges such as playmaking, game intelligence and overall skill development in his formative years. Although he has shown comfort in one-on-one situations, his struggles have primarily concerned his ability to interact effectively with complex defensive strategies and learning to navigate multiple moving elements on the pitch.
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The Timberwolves took a risky gamble by trading for Rudy Gobert to play alongside Karl-Anthony Towns. This move paid off last year, propelling the team to an impressive defensive ranking, however, the offensive flow has been remarkably stagnant since Gobert’s arrival. Their offensive rating has dropped significantly, from seventh in the league (113.8) in the 2021-22 season to a disappointing 23rd in 2022-23 (113.3), and has only been slightly improved to 17th place in 2023-24 (114.6).
Adding size to their lineup unintentionally cluttered the racket, significantly impacting Edwards’ ability to drill and apply pressure around the basket. The presence of Gobert restricted the playing space, complicating progressions and imposing limits on offensive execution.
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Nonetheless, Edwards has shown marked improvement in playmaking since his college days. He possesses better court awareness and has learned to navigate defensive schemes more effectively, but the Timberwolves’ structure appears to have stunted his growth as a ball-dominant creator.
While there is confidence in building a winning team around the Edwards-Gobert combination, the organization opted to trade Towns, a key scorer and spacer, further entrusting Edwards with the role of engine of their attack. The addition of Julius Randle was supposed to bolster support for Edwards, however, the offense struggled to find a harmonious rhythm under this new configuration.
While it’s tempting to blame Randle, a deeper problem stems from the Timberwolves’ existing roster dynamics. Jaden McDaniels is going through his toughest shooting season, struggling to an alarming 30.3 percent from three-point range, which has allowed defenders to let go and focus on neutralizing Edwards’ penetrations. The lack of off-ball movement made McDaniels more responsible offensively, further complicating creating opportunities for Edwards.
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Additionally, the lack of a reliable second ball carrier exacerbated the situation. The acquisition of Mike Conley briefly revitalized Minnesota’s offense with his ability to score and orchestrate ball movement. However, with Conley now showing signs of decline at age 37, his reduced scoring contributions have put even more pressure on Edwards.
The enigma surrounding Gobert’s offensive integration continues to weigh heavily. Although he has transformed the team defensively, the relationship between Edwards and Gobert lacks the synergy necessary to alleviate the struggles of the other starters. Their connection on the court mostly revolves around ball screens, but opposing defenses increasingly trap Edwards in those moments, further complicating his challenges.
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Currently, the titular quintet isn’t making life any easier for Edwards. Nonetheless, he is emerging as an elite three-point shooter, hitting 39.9 percent of his attempts on 6.9 shots per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. Although he has adapted his shot profile by minimizing ineffective mid-range shots compared to previous seasons, circumstances still dictate his shot selection.
Despite finding more space beyond the three-point line, Edwards’ attempts near the basket have dropped to an all-time low of 3.8 per game, a stark contrast to last season where he had in averaged 5.4 attempts near the basket.
While Edwards’ recent performance has undoubtedly contributed to Minnesota’s offensive woes, the organization needs to re-evaluate its roster strategy to fully exploit his abilities as he nears his prime. If they can pivot to create more advantageous situations for him in the future, the Timberwolves have the potential to elevate their offensive game to new heights.
