After a meteoric rise up the Western Conference standings last year, the Minnesota Timberwolves were widely considered the surprise team of the 2024 NBA season. The team was the best defensive team in the entire league, led by Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and enjoyed a large offensive leap by Anthony Edwards, culminating in a Western Conference Finals appearance and eventual loss to the Dallas Mavericks. As the team moves forward into next season, they hope to maintain their dominance and chemistry within their roster. After losing Kyle Anderson to the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota replaced him with Joe Ingles, along with drafting(and trading) for two young guards in Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr. Looking at the team and how they can progress moving forward, much of it hinges on Anthony Edwards’ improvement. Here’s a look at how the young star can take the next steps forward and unlock his full potential. 

Maturity and Not Always “Poking the Bear”

In today’s NBA, many, if not all players are close friends with one another, and connections are a lot more positive than they used to be. Players are less likely to talk trash to one another, much to the chagrin of more old-fashioned fans across the country. Edwards provides a much needed change of pace, as he talks smack to almost anyone and plays with a boisterous amount of confidence. Playing, and carrying himself that way can be galvanizing, especially to the rest of the players on his team. However, he found himself in some trouble entering the Western Conference Finals after he called out Kyrie Irving after finishing off the Nuggets in Game 7. Edwards can keep talking his talk, but many have suggested that he learn a bit more maturity so that he doesn’t continue to give fuel to opposing stars and bite off more than he can chew. 

Leadership and Trust in the Truest Sense

Edwards’ leadership style is a blast from the past and he shouldn’t shy away from that because thus far, it has produced fantastic results. Edward’s youth does show itself, though, when his teammates come up a bit short. Frustration tends to overcome Edwards when others aren’t in lock-step with him, especially in high level matchups where every little thing counts. Seeing that results in him trying to take the game over himself and take every shot himself. One thing snowballs into another and at the end of the game Edwards has a low assist-to-turnover ratio and defenses double and triple team him, knowing that he isn’t likely to give the ball up. In order for Edwards to get to where he wants to go, he must become better at trusting his fellow teammates and allowing them to help the team have a more balanced offensive attack so teams can’t only key in on him.

Playmaking 1.0: A Step-Back to Basics

In the postseason, Edwards’ play took off to another level as he led the Wolves all the way to the third round. As he continued to play, the biggest error in his game became painfully obvious; he lacks the consistent ability to make the next correct, easy play when it comes to passing the ball. All too often against the Mavericks, Edwards tried to sling the home run, cross-court pass that was more likely to end up in the crowd or in the defender’s hands than it was to get over to Jaden McDaniels or whatever other shooter is in the corner. These shortcomings can be attributed to the fact that he is only 22 years old and is still at the beginning of what is hopefully a long and successful career. His work ethic, as well as his experience playing with Team USA in the Olympics and beyond should help him develop all parts of his game so that he can reach the lofty levels that many people, including himself, have set for himself, both now and moving forward.