Anthony Edwards has continued to evolve and develop into one of the best shooting guards in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar could be a dark horse MVP candidate, especially if he could lead the team to another fantastic season.
Over the past few seasons, the MVP race has mostly consisted of players like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Those two superstars are still the favorites to win the MVP in the 2025-26 season. However, other players could enter that race and compete with the best candidates.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had a rollercoaster 2024-25 season, as they struggled early on, but still reached the Western Conference Finals and lost to the eventual champions. Despite their early struggles, Anthony Edwards was superb throughout the whole season.
Edwards led the league in made three-point shots during the regular season, demonstrating his continued growth each year. The 2025-26 season could be even more promising, since he had a full summer to work on his game and dominate the league.
Photo by David Berding/Getty ImagesJeff Teague sees a potential MVP win for Edwards
The Timberwolves’ success can always be linked to what Edwards has done for the team. He is the natural superstar who took over and became the top guy in only a few seasons. Karl-Anthony Towns was the undisputed star for a long while, but that changed when Edwards entered the picture.
After Towns’ exit in the 2024 offseason, Edwards played a bigger role in the Timberwolves roster. They had a slight drop-off, but their success in the 2025 postseason proves that Edwards can be the number one star on a championship contender.
The 2025-26 season could be a career-defining campaign for the young Edwards. The Timberwolves are not the favorites again, but if he can lead the team to another fantastic season, he could be a dark horse for the MVP award.
That could be even more likely after a strong summer for Ant-Man. Former NBA All-Star guard Jeff Teague thinks the same, as he feels Edwards could be a shoo-in if the Timberwolves have a great season.
“I imagine him averaging around 28 to 30. He’s gotta be around five, six assists, but they gotta be the number one team in the West,” Teague said on Club 520.
“He was what, 28 (points for game) last year? 28, 6, and 5. So, he gotta have 30 and be number one in the West. One or two in the West, and he can get it.”
Edwards knows what he would need to do to win an MVP
As the star player, it is always good to aim for winning an MVP. Setting that goal means they are focused on winning, which will be integral to deciding the award by the end of the season.
That was proven by 2024-25 MVP Gilgeous-Alexander, who might have had less impressive individual stats when compared to Jokic. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder had the better record, so it was a big reason behind his award win.
Edwards knows that logic will matter if he is part of the MVP race. He wants to win the award, but he is more focused on helping the Timberwolves achieve more wins than ever and, in the process, earn that award. That could involve him becoming a better defender and even more of a playmaker.
“We gotta win. All MVPs win at a high level. Average a whole bunch of points. That’s the main recipe,” Edwards said during Media Day.
Anthony Edwards on what it would take to win MVP
“We gotta win. All MVP’s win at a high level. Average a whole bunch of points. That’s the main recipe.” pic.twitter.com/P3dvDZDjWO
— Jonah (@Huncho_Jman) September 29, 2025
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As Teague said, he believes that Edwards can win the award if the Timberwolves go on a strong season that could be on the same level as the Thunder. That is unlikely, but having a superstar like Edwards could help them surpass those fine margins.