Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has made it clear that he’s not happy with how his team is playing basketball this season. Following a loss to the Boston Celtics last week, Edwards opened up about his frustrations with being double-teamed and forced into becoming a playmaker instead of a scorer. The young All-Star, who is known for his explosive scoring ability, admitted that while he understood the need to pass when facing defensive pressure, he didn’t want his role to be limited to just distributing the ball.
“That’s a good brand of basketball, but it’s not how I want to play,” Edwards said. “I’m only 23, I don’t want to be just passing the ball all night.”
While Edwards may be unhappy with his role as a primary facilitator, the bigger issue is that it seems no one else on the Timberwolves wants to pass the ball either. As the team stands at a .500 record of 17-17, they rank 22nd in the NBA in assists per game, averaging just 24.8. In their past five games, that number has dropped even further to 22.6, placing them 28th in the league. The lack of ball movement is taking a toll on the team’s offense, making it harder for them to find a rhythm.
The Assist Problem and the Consequences
Edwards, who is averaging 25.3 points per game this season, is also dishing out just 3.9 assists against 3.1 turnovers. The issue was glaringly evident in Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, where Edwards scored a career-high 53 points but only recorded two assists. The Timberwolves still lost the game by double digits, 119-105, with just 20 assists and 17 turnovers. The heavy reliance on Edwards’ scoring and lack of teamwork through passing only exacerbated the team’s inefficiency, underscoring the deeper problem of Minnesota’s offensive structure.
While Edwards’ 53-point outburst was a personal achievement, it highlighted a larger issue: the Timberwolves’ inability to create easy looks for one another. With minimal passing, the offense becomes stagnant and predictable, putting excessive pressure on Edwards to create offense single-handedly.
Personnel Issues and Shifting Roles
The Timberwolves’ passing woes are not only a product of their overall approach but also a result of personnel changes and struggles. Jaden McDaniels, a promising young forward, has not lived up to expectations, shooting just 31.8% from beyond the arc. The team also replaced Karl-Anthony Towns, one of the best shooting big men in the league, with Julius Randle, whose game revolves more around scoring in the paint. While Randle is a solid player, he’s not the floor-spacing threat that Towns was, which limits the offense’s ability to stretch the floor and create open shots for others.
Additionally, Donte DiVincenzo, who was brought in as a three-point shooting threat, has struggled with his shooting efficiency, connecting on less than 40% of his field goals and only 35.6% of his threes. This leaves fewer players who can capitalize on the attention Edwards draws, further stymieing the team’s offensive flow.
Edwards’ Transition: From Scorer to Playmaker?
Edwards is undeniably an elite scorer, but if Minnesota is to make a serious push for the playoffs, they need him to embrace more of a playmaking role. Last season, Edwards took 22.8% of his shots at the basket and 34.8% from three-point range, balancing his perimeter shooting with drives to the hoop. This season, however, he’s taken only 14.8% of his shots at the basket and increased his three-point attempts to 49%. While his shooting percentage from beyond the arc is an impressive 42%, his reliance on the perimeter has resulted in fewer opportunities for his teammates to get involved.
If the Timberwolves are going to return to playoff contention, they’ll need Edwards to not only continue scoring at a high level but also step up as a playmaker. Edwards’ scoring is crucial for the team’s success, but his ability to create opportunities for others is just as important. The Timberwolves’ offense is at a crossroads, and if they are to get back on track, it will require a shift in Edwards’ approach. Despite his reluctance to pass all night, the team needs him to embrace his role as both a scorer and facilitator to succeed.
As the Timberwolves continue to struggle with their ball movement, the pressure is on Edwards to evolve his game and find a way to lead his team not just through scoring, but by setting up his teammates for success.
