Anthony Edwards has continued to evolve and turn into among the finest taking pictures guards within the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves celebrity could possibly be a darkish horse MVP candidate, particularly if he could lead on the workforce to a different implausible season.
Over the previous few seasons, the MVP race has principally consisted of gamers like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. These two superstars are nonetheless the favorites to win the MVP within the 2025-26 season. Nevertheless, different gamers might enter that race and compete with the very best candidates.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had a rollercoaster 2024-25 season, as they struggled early on, however nonetheless reached the Western Convention Finals and misplaced to the eventual champions. Regardless of their early struggles, Anthony Edwards was very good all through the entire season.
Edwards led the league in made three-point pictures in the course of the common season, demonstrating his continued progress annually. The 2025-26 season could possibly be much more promising, since he had a full summer time to work on his sport and dominate the league.
The Timberwolves’ success can all the time be linked to what Edwards has performed for the workforce. He’s the pure celebrity who took over and have become the highest man in just a few seasons. Karl-Anthony Cities was the undisputed star for an extended whereas, however that modified when Edwards entered the image.
After Cities’ exit within the 2024 offseason, Edwards performed an even bigger function within the Timberwolves roster. That they had a slight drop-off, however their success within the 2025 postseason proves that Edwards will be the primary star on a championship contender.
The 2025-26 season could possibly be a career-defining marketing campaign for the younger Edwards. The Timberwolves should not the favorites once more, but when he can lead the workforce to a different implausible season, he could possibly be a darkish horse for the MVP award.
That could possibly be much more possible after a robust summer time for Ant-Man. Former NBA All-Star guard Jeff Teague thinks the identical, as he feels Edwards could possibly be a shoo-in if the Timberwolves have an incredible season.
“I think about him averaging round 28 to 30. He’s gotta be round 5, six assists, however they gotta be the primary workforce within the West,” Teague stated on Membership 520.
“He was what, 28 (factors for sport) final 12 months? 28, 6, and 5. So, he gotta have 30 and be primary within the West. One or two within the West, and he can get it.”
Because the star participant, it’s all the time good to intention for successful an MVP. Setting that purpose means they’re centered on successful, which will probably be integral to deciding the award by the top of the season.
That was confirmed by 2024-25 MVP Gilgeous-Alexander, who might need had much less spectacular particular person stats when in comparison with Jokic. Nevertheless, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder had the higher file, so it was an enormous cause behind his award win.
Edwards is aware of that logic will matter if he’s a part of the MVP race. He needs to win the award, however he’s extra centered on serving to the Timberwolves obtain extra wins than ever and, within the course of, earn that award. That would contain him turning into a greater defender and much more of a playmaker.
“We gotta win. All MVPs win at a excessive stage. Common an entire bunch of factors. That’s the primary recipe,” Edwards stated throughout Media Day.
As Teague stated, he believes that Edwards can win the award if the Timberwolves go on a robust season that could possibly be on the identical stage because the Thunder. That’s unlikely, however having a celebrity like Edwards might assist them surpass these tremendous margins.
