Anthony Edwards is entering that rarefied air in the NBA-the moment when talent alone isn’t the story anymore. It’s about leadership.
It’s about responsibility. And according to Dwyane Wade, it’s about embracing the grind, not just as a player, but as the face of a franchise.
Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has steadily transformed into one of the league’s most electrifying guards. He’s brought a new energy to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a franchise that, before his arrival, had long struggled to find consistency-let alone playoff relevance.
But now, with Edwards at the helm, Minnesota has made back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals. That’s not a fluke.
That’s a sign of a player turning the corner from star to cornerstone.
And if anyone knows what it takes to make that leap, it’s Dwyane Wade. The Hall of Famer and three-time NBA champion spoke candidly about Edwards during an appearance on ESPN, reflecting on a conversation the two had about what it really means to lead.
“What we talked about is not getting bored with the process,” Wade said. “And I think you become a star… people see your work ethic… it’s what makes them believe. Then there’s this word called responsibility.”
That’s the heart of it. Being “the guy” on a team isn’t just about putting up 30 points or delivering in crunch time.
It’s about setting the tone every day-on the court, in the locker room, and in the community. Wade’s message to Edwards was clear: talent got you here, but leadership will take you further.
Wade didn’t sugarcoat the demands of that role, either. He talked about the tough conversations-the kind that don’t show up in the box score.
“For Ant, it’s having those hard conversations with the front office, having those hard conversations with teammates,” Wade said. “It’s being a community leader, and a voice.”
That’s a level of maturity that doesn’t always come naturally to young stars. Wade admitted that, early in his career, he didn’t fully grasp the weight of leadership. But over time, he realized that being a franchise player meant being the voice-not just for yourself, but for your teammates and your city.
“I’m the voice, not just for myself. I’m the voice for all the other 14 guys and also for the community,” Wade explained.
That’s the blueprint he’s passing on to Edwards.
The two even watched film together, with Wade urging Edwards to stay locked in on the process. That’s the kind of mentorship that can shape a career. Because while Edwards has already made a massive impact-elevating the Timberwolves to a level they hadn’t seen in years-there’s still another level to reach.
Minnesota’s recent playoff runs have been impressive, but the next step is clear: reaching the NBA Finals. That’s the benchmark for greatness in this league.
And while Edwards has shown he has the game to get there, Wade’s message is that greatness comes with responsibility. It’s about doing the work, having the tough talks, and carrying the weight when things get heavy.
The Timberwolves have their guy. Now it’s about how far Anthony Edwards can take them-and how much he’s willing to grow to get there.