Knicks' Edwards Pursuit: A Dream or Delusion?
Word on the street, and it's a loud street, is that the New York Knicks are doing their due diligence on what it would take to pry Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Look, every team in the league would love a 22-year-old superstar who just dropped 28 points per game in a playoff series, but the Knicks seem to be more than just window shopping. This isn't a casual inquiry; this feels like a serious, albeit incredibly difficult, ambition.
Thing is, Minnesota just handed Edwards a five-year, $205 million rookie maximum extension that kicks in next season. That's a lot of money, and it ties him to the Wolves through the 2028-29 season. The idea of trading him now, after he's established himself as the face of the franchise and led them to a Western Conference Finals appearance, seems almost absurd from Minnesota's perspective. But the Knicks operate differently. They've got the draft capital, thanks to years of shrewd moves and a few lucky breaks, and they've got the market appeal. Don't underestimate the draw of Madison Square Garden for a player like Edwards, whose swagger perfectly matches the bright lights.
The Tactical Fit: A Perfect Storm
Let's talk pure basketball. Anthony Edwards on the Knicks? That's a terrifying thought for the rest of the league. He's a three-level scorer, an athletic marvel who can get to the rim at will, and his defense has steadily improved under Chris Finch. Imagine Jalen Brunson, fresh off averaging 35.7 points per game in the 2024 playoffs, running point alongside Edwards. Brunson's methodical, cerebral attack combined with Edwards' explosive, improvisational brilliance would be a nightmare for opposing defenses. The Knicks, even with Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, sometimes struggle to generate consistent offense when Brunson is double-teamed. Edwards solves that problem instantly. He can create his own shot against anyone and forces defenses to commit multiple defenders, opening up opportunities for everyone else. Plus, Tom Thibodeau would absolutely love Edwards' competitive fire and willingness to play tough defense. Edwards averaged 1.3 steals per game last season, often guarding the opposing team's best perimeter player.
And let's not forget the dunking. Edwards isn't just a scorer; he's a highlight reel waiting to happen. In the NBA Dunks competition, he'd be a perennial favorite, but more importantly, he brings that electrifying energy to every single game. The Knicks, for all their grit, sometimes lack that pure, unadulterated athleticism and star power on the wing. Edwards fills that void and then some. His presence would elevate their transition game, too. Currently, the Knicks rank in the bottom third of the league in fast-break points. With Edwards pushing the pace, that changes immediately.
Financial Hurdles and Asset Allocation
Here's where it gets tricky. Edwards' extension means he's making serious money. Any trade for him would require the Knicks to send out significant salary. Their current core of Brunson, Randle, Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson already eats up a substantial chunk of the cap. To match Edwards' projected $35.7 million salary for 2024-25, the Knicks would almost certainly have to part with Randle, whose $28.9 million salary is a clear match. But is that enough? Probably not. Minnesota would demand a haul of draft picks, too. The Knicks own their own picks and have several from Dallas, Washington, and Detroit over the next few years. We're talking multiple unprotected first-rounders and potentially a couple of pick swaps. Think along the lines of the Rudy Gobert trade, where Minnesota sent five first-round picks and multiple players to Utah. Edwards is younger and better than Gobert was at the time of that deal.
Real talk: a package centered around Randle, Immanuel Quickley (if he wasn't already traded), and three or four unprotected first-round picks might be the starting point. Even then, Minnesota has little incentive to move him. They're a legitimate contender in the West. Trading Edwards would signal a full rebuild, something they've just escaped. Unless Edwards himself forces the issue, which he hasn't shown any inclination to do, this is a long shot. But the Knicks have shown they're willing to go big. They chased Donovan Mitchell relentlessly before he landed in Cleveland.
Impact on the Nets: A Ripple Effect
And what about the Brooklyn Nets? While they aren't directly involved in an Edwards trade, a move like this by the Knicks would send shockwaves through the city. The Nets are currently in a rebuilding phase, sitting in the shadow of their cross-town rivals. If the Knicks were to land a top-10 player like Edwards, it would solidify their position as the premier basketball team in New York for the foreseeable future. The gap in talent and market appeal would widen considerably. The Nets, who are still trying to figure out their identity post-Durant and Irving, would find it even harder to attract top-tier free agents to a city dominated by a legitimate championship contender.
For the Nets, watching Edwards in a Knicks uniform would be a bitter pill. It means more sold-out games at MSG, more national TV appearances for the Knicks, and increased pressure on the Nets' front office to accelerate their own rebuild. They're banking on Mikal Bridges and a collection of young talent, but an Edwards-Brunson pairing would simply be on another level. It's a reminder that even when you're not in the trade talks, moves by your rivals can significantly alter your own path.
This whole scenario, while exciting for Knicks fans, feels a bit like chasing a unicorn. The Wolves have their guy. He's happy. He's producing. It would take an absolute Godfather offer, something so outrageous that Minnesota couldn't possibly say no. And even then, I'm not sure they would. But the Knicks are dreaming big, and sometimes, those dreams, however improbable, hint at what's truly possible.
Bold Prediction: The Knicks will make a serious push for a star this offseason, but it won't be Anthony Edwards; they'll instead land a disgruntled perennial All-Star from a smaller market team by the trade deadline, sacrificing multiple future first-round picks to do so.
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