Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards has slipped one spot, from 6th to 7th, in ESPN's 2026 NBA Top 100 player rankings. This slight fall comes despite Edwards averaging a career-high 28.8 points per game last season and leading the Wolves to the playoffs. The team's current momentum is strong, riding a three-game winning streak highlighted by a 132-126 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on April 13.
The primary reason cited for Edwards' drop is his playmaking. Last season, without a true point guard, he was often tasked with running the offense. That experiment resulted in his lowest assist rate since his rookie year, at 3.7 assists per game. Analysts noted that while Edwards is a devastating scorer, the Wolves became easier to guard when he was the main facilitator. Players ranked above him, with one notable French exception, are praised for creating high-quality shots for both themselves and their teammates. Edwards has improved his reads in pick-and-roll situations, but he hasn't yet mastered that expansive playmaking role.
The Timberwolves' major offseason addition, acquiring LaMelo Ball, directly addresses this concern. Head coach Chris Finch hopes Ball taking over primary ball-handling duties will free Edwards to focus on his greatest strength. Scoring. With Ball drawing extra defensive attention, Edwards should face fewer crowded reads and double-teams. This could lead to more efficient scoring opportunities and potentially help his assist numbers climb. Edwards now shoots a reliable three-pointer, which makes his offensive profile even more dangerous when he's playing off the ball. The goal is to let him attack closeouts and operate in space.
Breaking into the top five will be a serious challenge. The group ahead of him, including Jalen Brunson at No. 6 following a championship run, is exceptionally strong. Edwards has never finished higher than 7th in MVP voting, placing there in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. He was ineligible for awards last season after playing only 61 games, short of the NBA's 65-game minimum. His ceiling is undoubtedly at an MVP level, but everything needs to align. A scoring title is within reach if his offensive load is optimized. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding.
Edwards remains the undeniable centerpiece for the Minnesota Timberwolves at just 25 years old. He's already a multiple-time All-Star and All-NBA selection. The next steps are clear. An MVP award and a championship. The roster changes this season, including the recent wins over Houston and Indiana, are designed to put him in the best position to achieve those goals. If the new construction with LaMelo Ball works, Edwards could easily soar back up the list.
