The Minnesota Timberwolves have made it clear: They’re going to build around Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves and Edwards agreed to a maximum extension Monday — five years, $207 million, with the deal potentially reaching $260 million, agent Bill Duffy confirmed to The Associated Press.
Edwards’ new contract will begin in the 2024-25 season. He became the fourth player to get the maximum extension on the rookie band this summer, joining Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, Charlotte’s LaMelo Paul and Memphis’ Desmond Payne.
His deal would reach a supermax level if he made the All-NBA Team.
A first-time All-Star last season, Edwards has improved in each of his first three years with the Timberwolves.
His scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and shot put numbers have increased each season. Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals on 46% shooting last season — while shooting 37% from 3-point range.
Only nine players have averaged as many points, connections and assists per game as Edwards. Of the nine, the youngest was at 21. Add steals per game to that list, and Edwards becomes the youngest player to have these averages in each of those categories since LeBron James in 2005-06.
The only question regarding Edwards and the extension was how quickly that would happen. By league rule, Minnesota had to wait until July 1 — for example, Bane and Haliburton’s deals came shortly after midnight EST in the early hours of Saturday.
Two more days didn’t seem to hurt the wolves.
Edwards was the first pick in the 2020 draft and turns 22 next month – when he was scheduled to be part of USA Basketball’s roster to play in the FIBA World Cup. took over An important step Last season, he became a true starter for Minnesota, while two-time All-Star Carl-Anthony Towns missed 52 games due to a calf strain.
Wolves now have a maximum of three players on their roster in Edwards, Towns and center Rudi Gobert. Last year, Wolves and Towns agreed to a $224 million contract extension Once open the negotiation period. Joubert, whose first season with Minnesota after the blockbuster trade to Utah was filled with growing pains between him and his new team, has three years left on his deal. five cities.
The Wolves have made the playoffs each of the past two years, falling to the First Round both times. They would attempt a record-breaking third consecutive win next season, a streak the franchise had not enjoyed for six straight years. 500 from 1999-00 through 2004-05.
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Associated Press sportswriter Dave Campbell in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
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