5 milestones Anthony Edwards needs to achieve to cement his legacy

Anthony Edwards is considered one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in the NBA. In his young career, Edwards has already earned three All-Star Game appearances and a pair of All-NBA team selections. He also led the Timberwolves to back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals. Although he is enjoying a steady rise, he still has a lot to prove to show that he belongs the league’s all-time greats. Check out the gallery to see the five milestones Anthony Edwards needs to achieve to cement his legacy.

Bring the gold back to the FIBA ​​World Cup

There is no doubt that Edwards will be the face of Team USA for the foreseeable future. He even played a key role in helping the national team return home gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But while Edwards helped Team USA maintain its Olympic gold medal streak, the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup was a different story.

Edwards had a strong FIBA ​​debut, averaging 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game and making the FIBA ​​World Basketball Championship team. However, Team USA also only finished fourth, narrowly missing out on the podium. This was the second consecutive World Cup that the United States failed to medal. In order to convince everyone that the USA is still on top of the basketball world, the return of the gold is essential. And in doing so, Edwards can be cemented as the best American player in the NBA.

Make the All-NBA First Team

Edwards is certainly one of the best guards in the NBA today. In fact, he made the All-NBA Second Team the past two seasons. Surprisingly, the Timberwolves star narrowly missed out on making the All-NBA first team. Perhaps that should be one of his pending milestones to cement his superstardom.

The three-time NBA All-Star will face a tough row to earn a spot on the All-NBA First Team, especially with opposing guards like Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell and reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the running. In a guard-heavy league, it will take a nuclear season for Edwards to surpass the aforementioned names. However, it could be a motivation for him to take his game to the next level.

Win the points title

Since breaking out in the NBA, Edwards has become the driving force behind Minnesota. He is easily their number one option when it comes to goal. And last year alone, Edwards averaged a high career 27.6 points per trip. With his continued development, those numbers are expected to grow even more as a focal point for the Timberwolves.

But despite putting some serious points on the board, Edwards has yet to lead the NBA in scoring. In the past few years, elite players have elevated their careers by winning scoring titles. With the way the 6-foot-4 guard has been producing buckets, a scoring title could easily be in sight.

Win the NBA MVP

Another piece of hardware missing from Edwards’ growing collection is an NBA MVP trophy. Given that he holds the keys to the Timberwolves franchise, he is easily an MVP candidate now and in the future. However, it is worth noting that 2018 was the last time an American player took home the award, and that was James Harden. Since then, international players have taken over, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander extends streak earlier this year.

Ending the MVP drought for the United States will easily be a shot in the arm for Edwards’ rising superstardom. Moreover, the award will certainly confirm his game, placing him alongside the long list of MVP winnerswhich are mostly made up of Hall of Famers. Statistically, the numbers are already there for Edwards.

He leads the Minnesota Timberwolves to the title

While individual awards are a great way to validate a superstar’s career, there’s nothing better than an NBA championship, which for many is the ultimate goal. It’s safe to say that the Timberwolves have been building around Edwards of late, in hopes of eventually winning the championship pennant. Leading Minnesota to the promised land will easily cement Edwards’ place among the greats.

Fortunately, Edwards and the Timberwolves appear to be on the right track. In the past two seasons, Minnesota has gone as deep as the Western Conference Finals, the deepest the franchise has ever made. If the team can continue to build on their success, a championship goal isn’t as impossible as it seems, especially if Edwards plays like a legitimate Finals MVP.