Anthony Edwards made a heartfelt plea to the Minnesota Timberwolves after the shocking Luka Doncic trade, expressing his concerns about his own future in the league. Following the Timberwolves’ loss to the Sacramento Kings, he asked Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to keep him informed about any potential trades. “I’m scared. Tim, if you’re going to trade me, let me know, dawg. When Luka got traded, anybody is able to get traded,” Edwards shared with reporters.
The trade of Doncic has sent shockwaves through the NBA, leading to mixed reactions. Many fans and analysts criticized the Dallas Mavericks for their decision, while others praised the Los Angeles Lakers for acquiring a 25-year-old player who consistently contends for MVP honors. Doncic’s trade is unprecedented; he is the first player in over 50 years to be moved after finishing as the league’s top postseason scorer. Given his remarkable achievements at a young age and his role in leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, this trade stands out as one of the most astonishing in basketball history.
Edwards, who faced Doncic’s Mavericks in the Western Conference finals last season, expressed his surprise and sympathy for the star player. The unexpected nature of the trade left many, including Edwards, questioning the Mavericks’ motives. Reports indicate that there were no signs that Doncic was available until the trade was nearing completion. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison had approached Lakers GM Rob Pelinka about the possibility of trading Doncic earlier in January, indicating that discussions were happening behind the scenes.
In response to the widespread confusion surrounding the trade, Harrison offered some insight into the Mavericks’ decision-making process. He explained that the team wanted to avoid a potentially tumultuous summer, as Doncic was on the verge of becoming eligible for a five-year, $345 million supermax extension. Harrison stated, “I feel like we got out in front of what could have been a tumultuous summer,” emphasizing the need to consider the various factors at play.
Moreover, ESPN reported that the Mavericks were concerned about Doncic’s conditioning, especially since he had missed the previous 19 games due to a calf injury before the trade. In contrast, the Timberwolves have no such worries about Edwards. The 23-year-old has maintained a strong presence on the court, playing at least 72 games in each of his first four seasons and missing only one game this season. Currently, Edwards is in the first year of a five-year, $244.6 million extension that will keep him with the Timberwolves through the 2028-29 season.
