Anthony Edwards is coming off a monster season, averaging 27.6 points per game while starting 79 regular-season games. So when the Minnesota Timberwolves hit the floor this year, the story won’t just be about racking up wins. With 9,097 points already in just five seasons, the 24-year-old guard is knocking on the door of superstardom, but can he leap from rising star to true MVP contender?

Dane Moore, speaking on the Dane Moore NBA Podcast, put it thoroughly but bluntly at the same time: “My theme for this season is it’s Ant’s first push for an MVP. That’s the theme to this season because nothing that needs to be accomplished within the expectations can be accomplished without doing that.” He added that for the Wolves to move from “very, very good” to “truly great,” Edwards has to be in the top three-to-five player conversation. Put simply, no MVP-level Ant, no leap forward. And it’s a fair point.

Over the past two seasons, Minnesota has hovered just below elite. They won a ton of games, grabbed the No. 6 seed last season, and made back-to-back trips to the Conference Finals. But Luka Doncic sent them packing once, and then last year it was Oklahoma City’s turn. Edwards was brilliant, but “brilliant at times” isn’t the same as carrying a franchise through May and June. Which is exactly why the Wolves’ future now hinges on Edwards’ growth.

Moore stressed that everyone else has a role too. Rudy Gobert protecting the rim, Julius Randle doing the dirty work, Mike Conley staying healthy, and Rob Dillingham providing depth. But none of it matters unless Edwards plays like an MVP. Now, that’s where NBA legend Pau Gasol comes into the picture. The Hall of Famer recently revealed that he spoke to Edwards during the World Championship in Manila.

Edwards, he said, follows Kobe Bryant’s example and embraces the Mamba Mentality. “He has the desire to be the best,” Gasol shared. “But he’s also getting into the next step and stage of his career, where he has to prove a little more and give a little more at all levels.” Gasol didn’t hold back as he wants Edwards to sharpen his defense, lead more vocally, and hold teammates accountable every single day. That’s not just idle talk from a retired star.

This is coming from a champion who helped Kobe win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, even after Kobe flew into his chest during the 2008 Olympics. For Edwards, that’s both a compliment and a burden. And the timing matters. Edwards is entering Year 2 of his five-year, $244.6 million contract.

Only Anthony Edwards can turn Minnesota into a “truly great” team

Last spring, he told reporters after the Minnesota Timberwolves fell in five to OKC: “KFC, UFC, USC, OKC in 5… They put belt to a*s, I can’t be mad at that… you gotta win like a boss and lose like a boss.” It was refreshing honesty, but also a reminder that Minnesota still hasn’t cracked the Finals stage. Kendrick Perkins even went so far as to suggest Edwards could eventually demand a trade if the Wolves keep falling short. That’s speculation for now, but it emphasizes just how much weight is riding on this MVP push.

Though Edwards has the production to make it plausible. He averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season, while adding improved playmaking to his arsenal. His usage rate soared past 30%, and in the postseason, he carried Minnesota’s offense against some of the toughest defenses in the league. Those are the kinds of building blocks that define MVP campaigns. But Moore and Theige are right. The margins are little to none.

The Wolves already defend at an elite level behind Gobert. What separates “very good” from “championship caliber” is Edwards reaching that apex where voters can’t ignore him. That means consistency, leadership, and it means showing up in the moments Minnesota has historically wilted. Gasol’s words only reinforce it. “Let’s do a little more in leading, challenging, and holding teammates accountable,” he said. “That’s what I want to see out of him.” The path forward might be steep, but the opportunity is extremely genuine.

Edwards has already proven he can go toe-to-toe with the league’s best. He’s got the contract, the roster, and the support system to take the next step. But MVP whispers aren’t just about gaudy numbers. They are about narrative. Right now, the narrative is clear that the Wolves can’t get where they want to go unless Anthony Edwards drags them there. That’s the challenge from Dane Moore. That’s the standard from Pau Gasol. And that’s the expectation every time he takes the court this season.

If Edwards delivers, Minnesota could finally be more than “very good.” They could be great. If not, well, the trade whispers and the what-ifs will only get louder. Either way, the burden is his to carry. The MVP race just might be where he proves whether or not he’s ready.