The Minnesota Timberwolves are banking on Anthony Edwards to take yet another leap forward, and if you ask general manager Matt Lloyd, there’s little doubt about what’s coming.
“So, um, we cannot guarantee much in life, but I can guarantee he’s going to have a great year,” Lloyd told FOX 9 during an interview at the Minnesota State Fair.
Edwards, only 24 years old and entering his sixth season in the NBA, has already established himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
He has been named an All-Star the past three seasons and continues to show steady growth in his game. Lloyd believes that improvement comes from Edwards’ self-awareness and relentless work ethic.
“Yeah, I think one of his best attributes is that he’s so significantly self-aware,” Lloyd explained. “So, his ability to identify, like, the ways that I can grow and get better. Last year, he decided he had to up his volume of three-point shooting and led the league in three-point shooting. So, whatever he puts his mind to and whoever he decides to be, he’s going to be because he just wills it.”
That mindset is what Minnesota’s front office believes will propel Edwards into the MVP conversation sooner rather than later. Lloyd also revealed the physical shape Edwards is in ahead of training camp.
“And there is some comfort knowing that right now, in the off-season, he’s now 3.5 percent body fat,” Lloyd said. “He’s ready for the season. We track all the shooting in the practice facility, and he’s taken 3,600 shots since July 1 — the second most on the team. He has set a standard and set a bar for everyone else to meet, and he’s the best player on the team.”
The Timberwolves have made back-to-back Western Conference Finals runs with Edwards leading the charge, but the organization believes the next step is within reach. If Edwards delivers the type of season his GM is promising, it could be the campaign that defines not only his career but also the future of basketball in Minnesota.
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