Anthony Edwards is coming off his best season, scoring 27.6 points per game. Not just that, he also made a huge three-point leap, jumping from 35.7% on 6.7 attempts to 39.5% on 10.3. At just 23, he’s discussed as a legitimate MVP run, and no doubt he has the firepower to dominate any defense. But here’s the catch: no matter how high Edwards soars, the Timberwolves’ rise from “very good” to “elite” will depend on factors far beyond their young star’s control.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has shown reluctance in fully giving Edwards the reins to the offense as the primary playmaker, leaning on veteran leader Mike Conley to orchestrate. As The Athletic‘s Jon Krawczynski explained, “Chris Finch has kind of been a little resistant to that. Not resistant, but like hesitant in… Ant was really young, still trying to process the game. So, I don’t think he was ready for that kind of a role.”

Chris Finch’s caution isn’t about doubting Edwards but the challenge of balancing his growth with the team’s overall structure. In today’s NBA, where true pass-first point guards are nearly extinct, the league thrives on combo guards who integrate scoring with playmaking, serving as the engines of modern offenses.

This situation is additionally complicated by lineup interactions. Krawczynski added, “More and more you are seeing combo guards at both spots, that can put the ball on the floor, that can pass it, can move it, can create their own shots and makes it hard to guard in the modern era… And so, I think it makes a lot more sense to have Ant and Donte as the main guys or when Rob is in the game, he could be off the ball quite a bit more.”

Edwards can fit the mold of a new-age combo guard, but Finch’s reliance on Conley to run the offense is preventing Ant from stretching his wings. This causes significant risk because Edwards may not consistently assert himself in key moments without more responsibility, which can slow his trajectory towards MVP-winning dominance.

Dan Moore reinforced the stakes. Rudy Gobert protects the rim, Julius Randle scores and does the dirty work, and Rob Dillingham gives guard depth, but their contributions can only take the team so far. It is no secret that the Timberwolves have been hovering just under the NBA’s top tier in the last two seasons. Back-to-back Conference Final runs have ended with disappointment: First in 2024 against Luka’s final postseason run as a Maverick, then last year in a gentlemen’s sweep from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

So the weight on Edwards‘ shoulders doesn’t end with this coaching dilemma. Pau Gasol, a legend who won two NBA championships alongside Kobe Bryant, has a unique perspective on how Ant can take Minnesota to the next level.

Pau Gasol ushes Edward toward True Leadership

Pao Gasol, the Laker legend who has played alongside Kobe Bryant, has advised Edwards, telling him to embrace the Mamba Mentality, which will push him to elevate every aspect of his game. Gasol said, “He has the desire to be the best 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.”

Defense, leadership, and accountability are central to Gasol’s guidance. He wants Edwards to take charge of his team on both ends of the court and lead vocally, along with holding teammates accountable. These are small changes, but he will have to pick these things up if he wants to move past being just a good player.

For Edwards, this represents both mentorship and another burden on his shoulders. With Ant on a five-year, $244.6 million contract and a Timberwolves team filled to the brim with talent, he is due for a push to put Minnesota in title contention. The challenge is clear: Edwards must turn his seemingly limited potential into consistent, elite performance. If he succeeds, the public will finally have to take Minnesota seriously as a top team.