Kendrick Perkins ignited a heated debate this week when he declared on First Take that Anthony Edwards’ off-court life could hinder his chances of becoming the face of the NBA. Perkins, a former NBA player turned ESPN analyst, said the league’s true figureheads have always shared one key quality: they were family men.
“You got to be a role model. And things outside the lines matter. Now, if you go down the list of all the faces of the league in the history of the game, you look at Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, LeBron, Steph.”
“What did they all have in common? While they was playing in the league, they all were family men. They all were married with kids. And if you think that don’t play a role in force, the role model, this is facts.”
Perkins’ take came as the Minnesota Timberwolves fell behind 3–1 in the Western Conference Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, potentially marking a second consecutive exit at this stage for Edwards. The 22-year-old guard has dazzled in the playoffs with his elite scoring, clutch moments, and unmistakable charisma.
His magnetic personality, fiery competitiveness, and swaggering style have naturally drawn comparisons to some of the game’s greats, including Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade. From the American perspective, Edwards appears poised to take the baton as the league’s next great marketable superstar.
Yet, Perkins’ comments have added a layer of complexity to that narrative. While Edwards checks nearly every box on the court, talent, leadership, highlight plays, his personal life has been far from traditional. In the last two years, Edwards has reportedly fathered four children with four different women.
These reports, while unconfirmed in full by Edwards himself, have circulated through court documents and social media. At least two of the mothers have posted publicly about their children, and Edwards has been involved in multiple paternity and custody filings across state lines.
Whether or not that makes him unfit to be the face of the NBA is a subjective argument, but it brings up a deeper question about what it means to represent a global sports brand. The NBA has long favored stars who are not only elite athletes but also relatable, aspirational figures off the court.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and even Kobe Bryant (despite controversies) were all portrayed as family-oriented leaders. Their perceived wholesomeness bolstered their brand appeal and media endorsements, something the NBA, its sponsors, and fans don’t take lightly.
Edwards himself has expressed discomfort with being labeled the face of the league. That humility may play in his favor in the long run, but Perkins’ comments suggest that the image, whether cultivated or real, still matters.
Ultimately, Anthony Edwards’ ascent won’t be stopped by his off-court choices alone, but in a league where optics are everything, Kendrick Perkins’ remarks are a reminder: in today’s NBA, greatness isn’t just about points per game, it’s also about perception.
