The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga just reached its conclusion, but NBA insiders already believe another superstar could eventually become the center of the league’s next major trade drama.
According to ESPN insiders Tim MacMahon and Brian Windhorst, rival teams around the NBA are already monitoring Anthony Edwards‘ situation in Minnesota closely.
Speaking on The Hoop Collective podcast, MacMahon revealed that executives around the league are preparing for the possibility that Edwards could one day become the next superstar available on the trade market.
“I was going to say, we started off by spending a half hour talking about the Giannis trade, which we’ve been talking about for years. And I’m not declaring anything with certainty, except for the fact that the NBA vultures are circling around Ant in anticipation of him potentially becoming the next superstar available on the trade market. Or the next superstar who pushes his way to the trade market.”
That is not because Edwards has publicly expressed any desire to leave Minnesota. In fact, there have been no indications that he wants out. However, there is growing concern about whether the Timberwolves can build a legitimate championship contender around him before frustration begins to grow.
Windhorst explained that Edwards has been dealing with roster concerns for quite some time.
 “It’s fascinating because if you were to ask who was next after Giannis, we probably would’ve said Ant. And now this trade happens at the exact same time as the Giannis situation. It’s fascinating. Ant has been frustrated for a while. Really, he’s been frustrated since Towns got traded because of how often he’s getting double-teamed. That was a major challenge for the Wolves.”
“They had to deal with their point guard situation, and I assume that’s part of the reason for the investment in Ayo. But they still have to address the Ant double-team issue this offseason, especially knowing they may not have DiVincenzo.’
“And instead, his offseason begins with, and I don’t think Ant was Julius Randle’s biggest fan, but I think it’s less about Randle being traded and more about Randle being traded in a salary dump.”
That frustration highlights a bigger issue. Minnesota remains a very good team, but the gap between the Timberwolves and the true elite of the Western Conference is becoming increasingly obvious.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are still elite and continue to improve around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The San Antonio Spurs have rapidly emerged as another powerhouse with a Finals run behind Victor Wembanyama. Both teams appear positioned to contend for years.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is still searching for answers.
The Timberwolves recently traded Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in what many viewed as a salary-clearing move. The deal created approximately $36 million in cap flexibility and generated a $33 million trade exception. While Minnesota quickly used some of that flexibility to retain Ayo Dosunmu following his impressive playoff run, questions remain about whether that alone is enough.
Dosunmu certainly earned his new contract. The guard averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists during the regular season while shooting 52.1% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range. In the playoffs, he elevated his game further, posting 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 50.0% from the field and 42.5% from deep. Several huge performances against Denver helped convince Minnesota that he deserved a long-term commitment.
But Edwards needs more than one addition. He has already established himself as one of the NBA’s best players. Last season, he averaged 28.8 points while continuing to develop into a complete superstar. At just 25 years old, he has already reached two Western Conference Finals and proven he can carry a contender.
The challenge is that carrying a contender and winning a championship are two different things.
Reports throughout the offseason have repeatedly suggested that Minnesota’s biggest fear is not luxury tax penalties or roster construction mistakes. It is the possibility that Edwards eventually loses faith in the organization’s ability to compete for titles.
The Timberwolves have responded by remaining aggressive. They have been linked to Derrick White, Kyrie Irving, and other impact players as they search for another high-level creator alongside Edwards.
For now, there is no trade request. There is no public tension.
But the message from NBA insiders is becoming clear. If Minnesota fails to capitalize on this critical offseason and close the gap on Oklahoma City and San Antonio, Anthony Edwards could eventually become the next superstar the entire league starts chasing.
