Anthony Edwards is entering his prime after back to back Western Conference Finals appearances, having established himself as a bona fide superstar. Following the Timberwolves’ latest playoff exit, he vowed, “I’m going to work my b–t off this summer. Nobody’s going to work harder than me this summer”. This commitment to improvement has defined his career. But his individual growth may not be enough. The team’s front office decisions this offseason have created significant obstacles that could hinder their progress despite Edwards’ best efforts.

Reports are now highlighting how the Timberwolves’ roster construction might prevent Edwards from taking the next step. After falling short against the champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the team needed to add complementary pieces. Instead, they lost a key rotation player- Nickeil Alexander-Walker- while making a massive financial commitment of $125 Million to big man Naz Reid whose playoff performance raised serious questions. This series of moves has analysts concerned about the team’s direction.

The concerns were articulated in a detailed analysis of the Timberwolves’ offseason from CBS. One critic pointed directly to the contract given to Naz Reid, stating, “Overpaying Naz Reid instead of re-signing NAW is a total disaster — you saw Reid in the Thunder series, right?” Reid signed a five year, $125 million deal despite struggling significantly in the Western Conference Finals. The same source expressed disbelief that “a supposedly serious, win-now team is betting on Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark, who are all totally unproven”.

Reid’s new contract is a large commitment that eats cap room and long term flexibility, and his playoff numbers against top competition raised quite some eyebrows. In Game 1 against the Thunder, he shot a dismal 1 for 11 from the field. His inconsistency contrasted sharply with Nickeil Alexander Walker’s reliable contributions. He was a versatile guard, a key part of the Timberwolves’ defensive success and provided critical bench scoring with an average of 9.2 PPG accompanied with a 3.2 RPG. Helping the team reach consecutive Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025. 

NAW, who departed for Atlanta, had been a crucial three and D wing who played all 82 games- starting in 10 of them. Letting him walk while committing $25 million annually to Reid represents a major gamble that puts pressure on unproven young players to fill important roles.

Compounding the issue is the aging Mike Conley, who will turn 38 this season. As one insider noted, “I’ve been a big Conley fan forever and would love to see him win a title before he retires, so I hate that the front office has not put him in a position to do so”. With limited resources to add veteran help, the Timberwolves are asking a lot from their youth movement. These roster challenges threaten to undermine Edwards’ prime years unless the young players develop faster than expected.

That does not change the obvious. Edwards is working to add new tools to finish in late game moments, and how the front office fills the role players around him will determine whether his prime becomes a title window or a near miss. If Minnesota’s unproven pieces take meaningful steps and Conley remains a steady voice, the risk is manageable. If not, the $125 million commitment to Reid and the loss of a reliable wing could shrink the championship runway while Ant is at his best. With that in mind, here is a closer look at what Edwards himself is doing this summer.

Anthony Edwards’ off season resolve

Reports from league insiders say Edwards did not sit back after the loss to Oklahoma City but instead targeted specific scoring work that fits playoff needs. This was after a hugely successful season which saw him average 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting at almost 55% overall from the field and almost 40% from the three.

On NBA Today, insider Shams Charania reported that Edwards’ top offseason priority has been the post up game, including mid post and low post work and a fadeaway feel modeled after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, and that he has been watching a lot of their tape while working at the Timberwolves facility. “This offseason, Anthony Edwards’ number one focus, a new area of development, and that’s the post up game,” Charania said, a development meant to give Minnesota a late game counter when the pace slows.

The logic is straightforward. Edwards already led the league in three pointers made and created much of Minnesota’s offense, but playoff defenses tighten and long twos and post spacing become valuable. League surveys and executive polls that include Edwards among players with MVP upside show why adding reliable mid range and post tools would matter not only to his scoring totals but to how defenses must guard him, which could open driving lanes and cleaner looks for teammates. That kind of on court growth matters when roster construction around him looks less obviously complete.

Edwards also gets peer praise even as questions swirl about the supporting cast. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo recently singled Edwards out when describing players he likes, stressing the value of two way impact and leadership on and off the court. “My preference is two way players. I like one player, Anthony Edwards. I like him a lot,” Giannis said in an interview, a short but meaningful nod that underscores how talent evaluators across the league view Ant’s ceiling even as Minnesota wrestles with roster choices.