Anthony Edwards is having the kind of season that reminds you why he’s the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves. At 24 years old, he’s already one of the league’s most dynamic scorers, and this year, he’s taken another step forward. Averaging 29.7 points per game, Edwards has become a nightmare for defenses in the mid-range - a skill that’s added another layer to his already explosive offensive arsenal.
But as good as Ant has been - and he’s been really good - there are still areas of his game that need to grow if the Timberwolves want to be taken seriously as contenders. Specifically, his playmaking hasn’t kept pace with his scoring, and it’s starting to show in the Wolves’ overall offensive rhythm.
Let’s be clear: Edwards isn’t expected to be a traditional point guard. That’s not his game.
But when you’re handling the ball as much as he is - and with a usage rate of 31.8%, he’s among the league leaders - the expectation is that you can do more than just score. Right now, he’s averaging just 3.6 assists to 2.8 turnovers per game.
That assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.32? It’s not just below average - it’s the lowest mark of his career, and it’s trending in the wrong direction.
And that’s a problem for a Timberwolves team that’s still searching for a true floor general.
The Wolves’ current point guard situation is a patchwork. They’ve leaned on a committee approach, hoping someone would step up.
There was hope that second-year guard Rob Dillingham might grow into a bigger role, but that hasn’t materialized the way Minnesota had hoped. The front office, led by Tim Connelly, gambled that Edwards could shoulder more of the playmaking load.
It was a reasonable bet, given his year-over-year growth. But so far, the leap just hasn’t come.
That lack of a steady hand at point guard has been especially glaring during the Wolves’ recent five-game skid - a stretch that’s dropped them into Play-In territory. The offense has looked disjointed, and the turnovers have piled up.
In a recent blowout loss to Golden State, Edwards had one of his roughest outings of the season as a playmaker: eight turnovers, just two assists. Minnesota coughed the ball up 25 times in that game, and Ant was at the center of it.
Now, to his credit, Edwards has shown signs of growth in other areas. He’s been more composed against double teams, and his handle has tightened up.
But passing? That’s still a work in progress.
He’s not a natural facilitator, and he doesn’t consistently see the floor like a lead guard. According to Cleaning the Glass, Edwards ranks in the 6th percentile for assist-to-usage rate - a stat that highlights just how much the ball is in his hands without the corresponding playmaking impact.
And here’s a stat that jumps off the page: Edwards hasn’t had a single game this season with double-digit assists.
That doesn’t mean he can’t get there. At 24, there’s still plenty of room for growth.
But the Wolves can’t afford to wait. If they’re serious about making a push this season, they need a legitimate point guard - someone who can organize the offense, take pressure off Ant, and allow him to do what he does best: score in bunches.
Because if Edwards had taken that next step as a facilitator, this conversation might be different. The Wolves might not be scrambling for answers at the deadline. But as it stands, Minnesota’s roster construction - and their ceiling - is being tested by the limits of Ant’s playmaking.
He’s a star. That much is clear. But even stars need help.