For a few weeks at the start of June, the idea of Anthony Edwards landing with the Hawks felt like more than a pipe dream. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst had said the Timberwolves’ future was in “question,” and that opened the door to all the speculation that comes with a player like Edwards - especially for Atlanta, a team that sees him as the ideal fit for where it wants to go.
That dream has cooled considerably.
On the latest episode of the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst said Edwards appears satisfied with how Minnesota handled its offseason.
“From what I understand, Ant was very excited. Ant, from what I am told, is very pleased by the Wolves’ offseason. Going to get LaMelo, making this deal happen for Kuminga.”
That matters because Edwards had a hand in bringing Kuminga to Minnesota. Kuminga turned down a three-year, $36 million offer from the Lakers and instead agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Timberwolves, including a player option in the second season. It’s not every day a small-market team beats out Los Angeles, but Minnesota did exactly that here.
Kuminga wasn’t the only move that shaped the Wolves’ summer. Minnesota also traded for LaMelo Ball, a deal that could give Edwards the kind of backcourt partner who handles playmaking and shot creation if he stays healthy.
Whether those two moves really complete a championship puzzle is another question, and one the source material leaves open. But the bigger point is that Tim Connelly got something done, and quickly enough to tamp down the Edwards noise before it had room to grow.
Edwards, for his part, hasn’t publicly said he wants out of Minnesota. Still, the conversation exists for a reason.
The Timberwolves’ second-round playoff exit, combined with a future that didn’t look especially bright compared to the rest of the West, was enough to get people wondering whether he might eventually look elsewhere. He’s signed through the 2028-29 season, so this isn’t an immediate issue - but it remains one to watch.
And if that day ever comes, Atlanta will be waiting in the wings. The Hawks believe Edwards fits their direction perfectly, and the hometown angle only adds to the appeal. For now, though, the latest reporting suggests Minnesota has done enough to keep one of Atlanta’s dream targets from drifting any closer to the door.
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The Hawks are carrying 17 players and still need to trim to 15 before the regular season, a process that could hinge on waiting for key trade-eligibility dates involving certain players. That has left the front office room to hold off for now, but not much room to avoid the issue entirely. No definitive decisions have been made, and with one more potential option gone, the path to opening night looks even less forgiving. [Read more 🡒]