Anthony Edwards' Wolves Future, Role in LaMelo Ball Trade Revealed by NBA Insider amid Latest Rumors

The Minnesota Timberwolves turned heads Thursday when they traded for LaMelo Ball in a move that reportedly had plenty to do with Anthony Edwards' future with the team as well.

"This is a swing and telling all those vultures swirling that are circling from other front offices, go somewhere else, shoo, get away from here because this is a move that is telling Anthony Edwards, 'We are all in to win right now,'" ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported on Get Up. "And obviously, Ant was involved with this, Ant was consulted in this and this is something that he wanted. He wanted to be paired with another potential star."

ESPN's Brian Windhorst added that Thursday's blockbuster was a way to keep Edwards "engaged" with the Timberwolves moving forward:

MacMahon and Windhorst's comments came after ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Timberwolves acquired Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033).

Edwards is signed through the 2028-29 campaign, but there was no shortage of speculation about his future prior to this headline move.

In fact, it was MacMahon who reported on Tuesday's Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective that "the NBA vultures are swirling around Ant in anticipation of him potentially becoming the next superstar who's available in the trade market" after the Milwaukee Bucks moved Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat.

Minnesota has been unable to advance past the Western Conference Finals since selecting Edwards with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft, and ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the star guard has been "frustrated" with the team since it traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks due in part to the double teams he now consistently faces.

That Towns won a championship with the Knicks following the trade made it all the more notable.

But the Timberwolves have certainly been busy this offseason as they look to build a contender around Edwards.

Charania reported they sent Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls, which allowed them to "free up significant salary with the remaining two years of Randle's deal, giving them more flexibility to retain Ayo Dosunmu and use exceptions."

Minnesota then agreed to a five-year, $112 million contract with Dosunmu.

Windhorst also reported on the podcast (36:42 mark) that Edwards wasn't "the biggest Julius Randle fan" and had a "significant disconnect" with the forward.

Given that as the backdrop and Ball's ability to facilitate for teammates and stretch opposing defenses with his outside shooting, it is difficult not to think about how these moves could help Edwards become an even better player.

Anthony Edwards Throws It Down

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With perimeter defenders having to worry about Ball on the outside, it could open more space for Edwards to attack the lane and cut toward the basket. And Ball is well-equipped to find him on those cuts considering the point guard has averaged 7.1 assists per game since entering the league as the No. 3 pick in the same draft as Edwards.

While Reid will be a difficult loss given how productive he has been for the Timberwolves, it was clear the team needed to do something to close the gap with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference.

They may have done that with the Ball trade and sent a message across the league that they have no plans on moving Edwards.