Anthony Edwards told The Athletic he spent the offseason pursuing what he calls “unstoppable” status. Edwards worked extensively on his midrange game after the Minnesota Timberwolves lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. Edwards believes becoming more versatile on offense will help him reach the level of peers like Luka DonÄ�ić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Unstoppable,” Edwards said. “As long as I can get to that point, I’m good.”
Edwards averaged 27.6 points last season while shooting 39.5 percent on 10 three-pointers per game. However, he shot just 36 percent on two-pointers outside the paint, limiting his intermediate options when defenses close off his three-ball and driving lanes.
“All I want them to say is we couldn’t guard him,” Edwards said. “We. Could. Not. Guard. Shawty.”
After the Mavericks beat the Wolves behind Kyrie Irving and DonÄ�ić’s versatile scoring in 2024, Edwards spent that summer improving his three-point shot. Last season, Oklahoma City’s defense hounded his perimeter shooting and limited his impact by forcing midrange work.
Edwards responded by specifically targeting his intermediate game during this offseason. He consulted with Michael Jordan about post footwork to develop a reliable fall-away jumper for late-game situations.
“We got our ass kicked all around the board,” Edwards said. “I think we’re going to be pretty good this year.”
Mike Conley told Edwards that winning a championship requires elite perimeter defense. The message reflected the Timberwolves’ organizational push for Edwards to excel on both ends of the floor.
Rudy Gobert praised Edwards’ improved conditioning and physical preparation. Assistant coach Chris Hines noted Edwards’ obsessive focus on detail and film study this summer.
“He wants to be Jordan-esque, Larry Bird-esque, Magic Johnson-esque,” Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez said. “He knows the responsibility he has on his shoulders to put people around him.”
Edwards believes his basketball confidence is stronger than his natural athletic ability because he earned it through work rather than physical gifts alone. At 24, he is entering the age when Jordan won his first MVP and Don�ić reached the Finals.