Despite being away, busy, representing Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Anthony Edwards may still have plans for his NBA future. However, not many would’ve expected the young gun to be involved in a possible trade! After 4 years in which he took charge of the Timberwolves, leading them to the Conference Finals in the most recent season, Ant-Man may bid adieu to Minnesota. A recent shocking drop of info says it’s the Miami Heat in the running and the reasoning behind this move may not even be about money or joining a Championship-contending team, but friendship!

A possible ‘Anthony Edwards-shift-to-Miami’ narrative was first speculated by long-time podcaster Bill Simmons. Discussing the ‘Ant-Man’ and his first Olympic run, the 54-year-old noticed a bond forming between him and Erik Spoelstra, who is Team USA’s assistant coach and, more importantly, the head coach of the Miami side! While the 23-year-old has been captured forming a mentor-mentee type bond with KD, another player he’s gotten close with is Bam Adebayo, who guess what, plays for the Heat.

For some, this would indicate an authentic display of sportsmanship. For Simmons, it means a trade in the works! “When does the first you know, Ant Edwards really loves Bam and Spoelstra and his experience with them. Don’t be surprised…. Story drop. Am I dropping it now??” the analyst said on the Bill Simmons Podcast.

Bill Simmons’s co-host, Rob Mahoney, instead chose to highlight that it was the opposite scenario, and that Bam Adebayo may end up heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to CBS Sports NBA reporter Sam Quinn, Simmons’s viewpoint should be taken in the context that many reports are currently indicating. According to him, believing that Simmons was indicating a possible Anthony Edwards trade to the Miami Heat was nothing but an “irresponsible aggregation”, since the podcaster would have simply been trying to get some ‘Team USA team-up stories’ out through his ‘fake example.’

Ever since he arrived in the NBA, Anthony Edwards has displayed a competitive spirit. More than often, he has directly or indirectly referred himself to be an efficient and key player in the best hoops league in the world. His spirit is something that Bam Adebayo has always respected, despite being on opposite sides. “He’s authentically himself. He’s not going to change. He’s going to be the same person every day, on the court, off the court,” Adebayo said mid-July.

“You see on TV when some of y’all make these moments go viral. It’s really like, ‘This is just you.’ This is one of the things I love about Ant. He’s himself,” Bam said. At the same time, Erik Spoelstra holds the Timberwolves star to a high level, stating that not only does he make the best use of his energy, but he also aspires to win. Ant-Man praised the head coach as well, claiming that he brings “a lot of energy and the Heat Culture”. Having understood each other, the only thing left to better their bond would be a team-up!

However, if there is anyone who may oppose the plan, then it would be Jimmy Butler. While not much is known about their overall bond, it made headlines when Anthony Edwards got into a small altercation with the Heat veteran in 2021. That caused the youngster to later say, “He ain’t finna fight nobody out there. All that walking up on each other, that’s stuff for the birds, man.”

Butler would later face the wrath of the hoops community after claiming, “I don’t care about the World Cup”, right when Ant-Man was spearheading Team USA in 2023. Whether Ant and Jimmy are on good terms or not, a bond with Adebayo and the Heat HC won’t be enough to persuade the young gun to hop. And a team shift is not something that fans should expect at the moment either. Here’s why.

Anthony Edwards’ last season decision would likely keep him in Minnesota

Having spent 4 years in the NBA and being unable to secure a Championship ring, it would be reasonable for Anthony Edwards to seek a change. However, neither his current contract situation would allow it, nor the player himself intends to leave for now. Before the commencement of the 2023-24 season, the NBA All-Star signed a 5-year extension that would grant him a whopping $260 million.

Going into the next season, this would put him amongst the highest-paid players. Many franchises, at the moment, are dealing with issues concerning crossing the Luxury Tax Limit or the 2nd apron set under the new CBA guidelines, which carry serious penalties. So, to not put themselves in a further precarious position, most wouldn’t be willing to trade the player under his existing contract.

It was only back in February, during an interview with Vanity Fair reporter Tom Kludt, when Anthony Edwards outrightly stated, “Hell yeah, I ain’t going nowhere.” The prospect of teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks even didn’t seem to interest the Team USA windmill dunk enthusiast, as he said, “They ain’t better than Minnesota. As long as they don’t trade me, we good.”

Having recently brought the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2004, Anthony Edwards is only a couple of steps away from securing a Championship. And at 22, he is already an icon to his local fanbase. Therefore, he may want to have at least one more season before he fully considers the prospect of leaving. What do you think?

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.