The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode Title: Can Anthony Edwards win the 2026 NBA MVP?
Release Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour (DD), John Krasinski (JK)

Overview

This episode focuses on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ outlook for the 2025-2026 NBA season, with an in-depth preview co-hosted by Dave DuFour and Timberwolves beat writer John Krasinski. Central themes include Anthony Edwards’ rise toward MVP status, the effects of roster continuity, veteran player concerns, and Minnesota’s potential to join the NBA’s elite. The hosts also discuss the possibility of in-season trades and key swing factors for the Wolves’ success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timberwolves’ Offseason and Roster Continuity

[02:41–04:35]

• Stable Summer: Unlike previous years, Minnesota had a quiet offseason, with nearly the entire rotation returning.
  • JK: “Other than Nikhil Alexander-Walker leaving for Atlanta, everyone is back… This is as consistent from year to year as they've been in a long time.”
• Impact of Continuity:
  • The team hopes last season’s Western Conference Finals run, and lessons learned, lead to increased chemistry, cohesion, and a stronger identity.
  • JK: “There is a belief that... the familiarity that they now have... is going to carry them hopefully further than last year.”
• Opportunity for Young Players:
  • With Alexander-Walker gone, more minutes will be available for young players like Terence Shannon Jr., Rob Dillingham, and Jalen Clark.

2. Breakout Candidates Beyond Anthony Edwards

[05:52–07:54]

• Jaden McDaniels as Two-Way Threat:
  • McDaniels is expected to expand his offensive game, adding pick-and-roll play and rim finishing to his elite defense.
  • JK: “When he's aggressive, he can score... he's actually their best finisher at the rim, especially in transition.”
• Terence Shannon Jr. Emergence:
  • Likely to assume a bigger role, bringing physicality and speed in transition.
  • JK: “He’s a grown man... his combination of physicality and just breakneck speed are going to be kind of a revelation.”

3. Aging Veterans: Conley and Gobert

[07:54–10:57]

• Mike Conley (age 38):
  • There’s natural concern about decline, but the team is determined to start him and give him the ball more.
  • JK: “I thought... they might gradually move away from Mike Conley, but... he is going to be the starter.”
  • He dealt with injuries last season, but is reportedly healthier now.
• Rudy Gobert:
  • Questions lingered about last season’s slow start: Was it decline or post-trade instability?
  • Gobert skipped international play this offseason to rest and may enter this season refreshed.
  • JK: “This was the first year he did not play [for Team France]... I do think it was important for him not to play.”

4. Anthony Edwards and the MVP Conversation

[11:36–15:43]

• Is This the MVP Year?
  • The plan is for Edwards to become a legitimate MVP contender if the team maintains success.
  • JK: “He is a charismatic dude… He has spent the summer working on finishing at the rim, midrange, and post game… Probably the hardest step from great player to an MVP candidate, but I think he has that in him.”
  • Improvements needed: finishing at the rim, midrange/post moves, and consistent defense.
  • JK: “We're right in that zone of Ant… rocketing into that stratosphere.”
• Defensive Attention, Game Planning Against Edwards:
  • Rivals will double him more, assign bigger defenders, and physically challenge him.
  • JK: “If you take that physical approach and he doesn’t get a few whistles, he gets upset… You can maybe get him off his game that way.”
  • Minnesota’s supporting cast (Gobert, McDaniels) must step up offensively when defenses sell out against Edwards.

5. Potential Trades and In-Season Adjustments

[17:44–19:31]

• Possible Upgrades at Point Guard:
  • Monitoring Mike Conley’s health and performance, and Rob Dillingham’s readiness.
  • If neither fits, Wolves could explore a trade before the deadline.
  • JK: “If come February… they’re just not getting enough dynamic play out of the point guard spot, that’s one I’d look at as an area to upgrade.”
• Trade Assets:
  • Minnesota has both young talent (Dillingham, Shannon Jr.) and big contracts (Julius Randle, Gobert) to make deals if needed.
  • JK: “They have young players that would be attractive… and big contracts… They have options.”

6. Critical Swing Factors

[20:41–22:33]

• What Propels Minnesota to the Top Tier?
  • Jaden McDaniels’ offensive leap—a true two-way presence makes the Wolves harder to defend.
  • Consistent, dynamic point guard play—whether from Conley, Dillingham, DiVincenzo, or others.
  • JK: “If Jaden McDaniels or a point guard really solidifies, then I do think this team goes from another interesting contender to one that… could beat Oklahoma City in a playoff series. They could beat Denver… They always beat Denver.”

7. Expectations and Season Outcome

[22:33–23:34]

• Rosy yet Realistic Outlook:
  • JK expects 50–55 wins and another strong playoff run; Western Conference Finals are possible, but not guaranteed.
  • JK: “Low to mid-50s in wins… with the right matchups, they absolutely can go to the Conference Finals again. If everything breaks right, they could take another step.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Timberwolves’ Consistency:
  • JK [03:18]: “This is as consistent from year to year as they've been in a long time… continuity bodes well for them.”
• On Edwards’ MVP Potential:
  • JK [12:05]: “He has one more step to take… probably the hardest step from great player to an MVP candidate, but I think he has that in him.”
• On Defensive Attention Toward Edwards:
  • JK [14:13]: “If you take that physical approach and he doesn’t get a few whistles, he gets upset… you can maybe get him off of his game that way…”
• On Jaden McDaniels’ Opportunity:
  • JK [07:22]: “With his length, he’s just able to rise up over people and score… I think there’s a belief he will take a leap.”
• On Veteran Concerns:
  • JK [08:15]: “Conley at 38… the Wolves needed someone at that spot who could hurt a defense... He wasn’t there last year.”
• On the Team’s Ceiling:
  • JK [22:42]: “They have enough talent and enough depth to really be a real factor in the Western Conference race this season.”

Timestamps by Topic

| Time | Segment | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:10–03:18 | Timberwolves' relaxed offseason, roster overview | | 03:18–04:39 | Importance & impact of continuity | | 05:52–07:21 | Breakout candidates: Jaden McDaniels, Terence Shannon Jr. | | 07:54–08:15 | Aging veterans: Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert concerns | | 08:15–11:36 | Veteran roles, Gobert’s conditioning, international play | | 11:36–13:27 | Edwards’ chance at MVP and areas of development | | 13:27–15:43 | Game-planning against Edwards & supporting cast's role | | 17:44–19:31 | In-season trades, especially point guard outlook | | 20:41–22:33 | Key swing factors separating average from elite | | 22:42–23:34 | Season forecast, realistic expectations |

Final Thoughts

The hosts agree: the Timberwolves are well positioned to build on last year’s run, but face challenges at the point guard spot and need further growth from their young players—most notably, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. Should Edwards elevate his game even further and the roster stay healthy, the Wolves could be ready to make a leap into true contender territory, with Edwards potentially entering serious MVP discussions.

Dave DeFore [23:34]: “I have a feeling that this is going to be a fascinating year, not just for the Wolves, but especially for Anthony Edwards. This is the year I think that he's a real MVP guy, not just a ‘hey, he's young and he's up and coming.’ I think that this is the year. 30 points a game, I think is—this is the season.”