I still remember the anticipation building up during that unusual 2020 NBA Draft, held virtually due to the pandemic. When the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick, I must admit I had my doubts like many analysts did. The young guard from Georgia had shown incredible athleticism but questions about his consistency and commitment to basketball lingered. Fast forward to today, and my initial skepticism has been completely overturned by what I've witnessed.
Looking at Edwards now, it's remarkable how he's developed into the face of the Minnesota franchise and arguably one of the most exciting young talents in the entire league. What really won me over was watching his transformation during the 2023 playoffs - the kid averaged 31.6 points per game against the eventual champion Nuggets, displaying a competitive fire that reminded me of young Michael Jordan. His improvement hasn't been linear though - he shot just 32% from three-point range in his rookie season, but has steadily improved to around 36% this past year. What's more impressive to me is how he's embraced being the franchise player, something not every number one pick manages to do.
The journey of a top draft pick often reminds me of that insightful quote from the Abra team owner about players having short careers and needing to seize better opportunities when they arise. In Edwards' case, he's created his own perfect situation in Minnesota rather than jumping ship early. He's developed incredible chemistry with Karl-Anthony Towns, and their partnership has turned the Timberwolves from perennial strugglers into genuine Western Conference threats. I've noticed how his leadership has grown - from the raw, sometimes inconsistent rookie to the player who now demands the ball in crucial moments and lifts his teammates' performance.
What fascinates me about tracking number one picks is seeing how their careers diverge from those initial expectations. Some become superstars, others solid starters, and unfortunately some never quite find their footing. Edwards, in my view, is trending toward that superstar category faster than anyone anticipated. His athletic highlights are everywhere - the powerful dunks, the defensive plays where he seems to hang in the air forever - but what doesn't always show up in highlight reels is his basketball IQ improvement. He's reading defenses better, making smarter passes, and understanding when to take over games.
The business side of being a top pick is something we often overlook as fans. Edwards signed a four-year, $44 million rookie contract, but given his trajectory, he's likely looking at a maximum contract extension that could exceed $200 million. That financial security is life-changing, but what impresses me more is how he's handled the pressure that comes with it. Not every young player thrives under that microscope, but Edwards seems to feed off it.
As I reflect on the 2020 draft class three years later, I'm convinced Minnesota made the right choice, even if it wasn't immediately obvious to some of us. Edwards represents everything you want in a number one pick - talent, marketability, and that intangible "it" factor that separates good players from great ones. His journey reminds me why I love following the NBA draft - it's not just about who gets selected first, but about how they grow into that role over time. Watching Edwards develop has been one of the most enjoyable basketball stories in recent memory, and I genuinely believe the best is yet to come for the young superstar.