Following the 2024 Olympics, all the talk was centered around superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry but a player has also slipped into the news: Anthony Edwards. The superstar shooting guard had a solid Olympics in a supplementary role, averaging 12.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game on 58.0% from the field and 48.0% from three.
However, despite Edwards’ strong performances coming off a strong season where he led the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals, there is some news that the Miami Heat could be a potential landing spot for the superstar. To further amplify the noise, we present what a potential mock trade could look like.
Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Anthony Edwards
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Josh Richardson, Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, 2029 First Round Pick
This trade would shake up both conferences in the NBA during the 2024-25 season and here is the breakdown of this blockbuster deal if Anthony Edwards would ever decide to force his way out of Minnesota to join the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat Build A Dominant Superteam
By acquiring Anthony Edwards, the Miami Heat would catapult themselves into the realm of NBA superteams. Edwards, who averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game during the 2023-24 season, has proven himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars. His ability to take over games with explosive scoring, combined with his elite athleticism, would complement Jimmy Butler’s gritty, all-around play and Bam Adebayo’s defensive prowess.
The Heat, known for their defensive tenacity under head coach Erik Spoelstra, would now also possess a lethal offensive weapon who can score at all three levels, making them a nightmare for opposing defenses. In addition to his scoring, Edwards would bring much-needed youth and energy to a Heat team that has often relied on the veteran leadership of Butler. At just 23 years old, Edwards is already an established star, and his ceiling remains incredibly high. His playoff experience with the Timberwolves, where he led them to the Western Conference Finals, showed his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
Adding him to a roster with championship aspirations would likely push Miami over the top, giving them a legitimate shot at contending for multiple titles. Edwards’ arrival in Miami would also allow the Heat to deploy one of the most versatile lineups in the league. His defensive potential, paired with Adebayo’s elite rim protection and Butler’s perimeter defense, would make Miami a force on both ends of the floor and they could finally win an NBA title following two Finals losses in 2020 and 2023.
Minnesota Timberwolves Re-Tool With A New Core
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, trading Anthony Edwards would mark a significant shift, but it would also provide an opportunity to retool with a fresh core. Tyler Herro, the centerpiece of the return package, has consistently been one of the league’s most promising young guards, averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in the 2023-24 season. Herro’s ability to create his own shot and stretch the floor with his three-point shooting (39.6%) would offer the Timberwolves a new offensive focal point.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., a forward who has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited time with the Heat (11.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG), would provide Minnesota with a versatile player who can contribute on both ends of the court. Meanwhile, Nikola Jovic, a young prospect with intriguing upside, offers the Timberwolves a long-term project that could grow into a valuable asset given the right development. Jovic’s combination of size, skill, and shooting touch makes him an intriguing addition to the Timberwolves’ future plans.
The inclusion of veterans like Josh Richardson and Haywood Highsmith would help Minnesota maintain a competitive roster while they transition to a new core. Richardson, known for his defensive prowess and ability to knock down perimeter shots (34.7% 3-PT FG in 2023-24), would bring a steadying presence to the locker room. Highsmith, a capable role player (averaged 6.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG in 2023-24), would add depth and versatility.
The first-round pick could do the Timberwolves well, considering both Butler and Adebayo will be far up in age by the time 2029 arrives and the Heat might not be a strong team by then. This allows the Timberwolves to keep their future open regarding young talent. Overall, while losing Edwards would undoubtedly be a major loss, the Timberwolves would gain a balanced package of young talent and veteran experience, setting the stage for a new chapter in the franchise’s history.
The Most Shocking Mock Trade In Modern History
This hypothetical trade would undoubtedly send shockwaves throughout the NBA, marking one of the most stunning moves in recent memory. Anthony Edwards, who has quickly ascended to superstardom, would be leaving the team that drafted him and where he became the face of the franchise. It’s rare for a player of Edwards’ caliber to be moved so early in his career, especially after leading his team to the Western Conference Finals.
Such a trade would not only redefine the Timberwolves’ future but also alter the landscape of the entire league, as Miami would be seen as the new juggernaut in the Eastern Conference. From a historical perspective, this trade would evoke comparisons to other blockbuster deals involving young stars, such as when the Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden in 2012 but Edwards is a far better player now than James Harden was at the time of his trade.
Much like Harden, Edwards has shown he can be the centerpiece of a franchise, and his departure would leave a significant void in Minnesota. The Timberwolves would be taking a calculated risk, betting on the potential of the players they receive in return, while Miami would be pushing all their chips to the center of the table, aiming to secure another championship in the near future. The sheer audacity of such a move, trading away a rising star for a package that blends youth with experience, would make this one of the most talked-about trades in NBA history.
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