On draft night in 2020, Anthony Edwards had questions for local reporters about his new home in Minnesota.
“Is it called St. Paul?” he said, asking if that was one of the Twin Cities. He also asked if that big mall was called “Mall of America.”
As the Atlanta native learned about his new home over the past three years, his precocious personality and electric play on the court quickly endeared him to Wolves fans everywhere, and the place he didn’t know too much about that night in 2020 looks to be his home for at least another half decade.
Edwards and the Timberwolves agreed to terms on a maximum five-year contract that will kick in for the 2024-25 season worth up to potentially $260 million, sources confirmed Monday. The No. 1 pick of the 2020 draft has so far lived up to the hype, culminating in two playoff appearances in which Edwards has averaged 28.1 points, and an All-Star selection last season. The deal can become official Thursday.
“I’m humbled, appreciative and excited to remain in Minnesota as part of this incredible Timberwolves organization,” Edwards said in a statement. “It’s amazing to see where hard work can take you.”
Anthony Edwards career statistics
Edwards will make approximately 25% of the salary cap, which should be around $35 million next season, and that number will only go up with each season. The value of the contract could increase an additional 5% of the cap if Edwards makes the All-NBA team this season. That potential All-NBA selection is the difference between the total value of the contract being around $217 million or $260 million. Edwards must play in at least 65 games next season to qualify for the All-NBA team, a benchmark set in place for the upcoming season by the new collective bargaining agreement.
In his three seasons, Edwards averaged 21.8 points per game while never playing in fewer than 72 games. He averaged a career high 24.6 points last season. For next season, Edwards, who plans to play for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, told the Star Tribune he wants to improve his contested shotmaking and be the one who takes the final shot most of the time for the Wolves. He also said…
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