Tag: Anthony Edwards

NBA Preseason: Edwards, Ball lead rookies set to debut on Saturday

Rookie Wire took a look at those first-year players set to debut as the preseason continues on Saturday night.

The NBA tipped off its 2020-21 preseason schedule on Friday night with five matchups around the league.

Perhaps the biggest storyline of the evening emerged from the Houston Rockets following the debuts of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. The two former college teammates at Kentucky reunited on the court and each looked to be in excellent shape.

Wall tallied 13 points, nine assists and five rebounds in 18 minutes of work while Cousins had 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 14 minutes. Wall and Cousins sent a message to the rest of the league that they are back and that could be trouble.

The preseason opener also marked the debuts of several rookie players, from Killian Hayes to Obi Toppin and even Cole Anthony and Tyrese Haliburton. On Saturday, several other rookies will hit the court for the first time of their young careers.

Rookie Wire took a look at those first-year players set to debut on Saturday.

Timberwolves sign Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels to rookie contracts

On Wednesday, the Timberwolves signed first-round picks Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels to their rookie contracts.

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On Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves signed first-round picks Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels to their rookie contracts, the team announced in a press release.

Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, was named the SEC Freshman of the Year after averaging 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 32 games at Georgia. He also shot 40.2% from the field, including 29.4% from 3-point range.

The 19-year-old was the second No. 1 pick in Timberwolves history, joining Karl-Anthony Towns, who was the top selection in 2015. He became the second Bulldogs player to be selected in the top five, joining Dominique Wilkins, who was the third pick in 1983.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves acquired McDaniels, the 28th pick, from the Oklahoma City Thunder along with Ricky Rubio in exchange for the draft rights to No. 17 overall pick Aleksej Pokuševski and forward James Johnson.

McDaniels averaged 13 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks last season at Washington while shooting 33.9% from 3-point range. He was the only player in any of the major conferences to average at least 1.4 blocks and 1.4 3-pointers made per game.

The two players figure to give the Timberwolves additional weapons next to Towns and D’Angelo Russell next season as the team attempts to return to the playoffs.

Minnesota begins preseason play on Dec. 12 vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.

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2020 NBA Draft: Signing tracker for each first-round selection

Rookie Wire took a look at the first-round prospects that have signed their contracts already and which ones haven’t to this point.

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Following the NBA draft, first-round prospects are beginning to sign with their respective teams with the start of the 2020-21 season just around the corner on Dec. 22.

Contracts for rookies are each slotted based on where they were drafted. The amount is tied to a certain percentage of the salary cap and fluctuates each season. Players can sign for as much as 120% and as little as 80% of the rookie scale so each contract can be different.

While the amount of each contract is locked in, agents can negotiate different conditions for their clients. This is why some players sign earlier than others. Stipulations can range from salary advancement to payment dates so there are some things to be sorted out.

With teams set to begin training camp in early December, Rookie Wire took a look at the first-round prospects that have signed their contracts already and which ones haven’t to this point.

Pick Team Player Contract Status Date
1 MIN Anthony Edwards
2 GSW James Wiseman
3 CHA LaMelo Ball
4 CHI Patrick Williams Signed 11/21
5 CLE Isaac Okoro Signed 11/21
6 ATL Onyeka Okongwu Signed 11/24
7 DET Killian Hayes
8 NYK Obi Toppin Signed 11/23
9 WAS Deni Avdija
10 PHX Jalen Smith Signed 11/24
11 SAS Devin Vassell
12 SAC Tyrese Haliburton
13 NOP Kira Lewis Jr.
14 BOS Aaron Nesmith Signed 11/24
15 ORL Cole Anthony Signed 11/21
16 DET Isaiah Stewart
17 OKC Aleksej Pokusevski
18 DAL Josh Green
19 DET Saddiq Bey
20 MIA Precious Achiuwa Signed 11/25
21 PHI Tyrese Maxey
22 DEN Zeke Nnaji
23 MIN Leandro Bolmaro
24 DEN R.J. Hampton
25 NYK Immanuel Quickley
26 BOS Payton Pritchard Signed 11/24
27 UTA Udoka Azubuike Signed 11/24
28 MIN Jaden McDaniels
29 TOR Malachi Flynn
30 MEM Desmond Bane Signed 11/25

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C.J. McCollum reacts to Anthony Edwards’ claim that Damian Lillard can’t rap

The Trail Blazers guard gave Edwards some friendly advice after he recently called out Damian Lillard for his rapping ability.

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Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum fired back at Anthony Edwards on Tuesday after the No. 1 overall pick took an apparent shot at his teammate, Damian Lillard, and his abilities as a rapper.

Edwards appeared in an interview last week with Alex Scarborough of ESPN and proceeded to trash-talk Lillard and his lyrics behind the mic. The former Georgia Bulldogs guard said in the interview that he raps himself but not quite like Lillard.

“But I really can rap,” Edwards said. “Dame, talking about — I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’m rapping like Lil Baby.”

McCollum, who appeared on the “Load Management” podcast on Complex Sports, responded to Edwards’ claim that Lillard can’t rap and offered a piece of advice for the 19-year-old as he makes the transition into the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Of course, Lillard, aka Dame DOLLA, has been rapping for much of his life and has released three albums to this point. On the flip side, Edwards said he won’t release any music until he establishes his career in the NBA so the jury is still out on which player is the better rapper.

Edwards will certainly enter the NBA with a bit of target on his back as the first pick in the draft and that likely just got even bigger after his recent comments toward Lillard. Certainly, the Timberwolves’ first game versus the Trail Blazers will be worth watching…

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The 10 betting favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

The 10 betting favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

The 10 odds-on favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

The 10 odds-on favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

Twitter reacts as Timberwolves pick UGA’s Anthony Edwards first

Social media reacted as the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Georgia Bulldogs star Anthony Edwards number one overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Georgia Bulldogs standout basketball player Anthony Edwards number one overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Edwards is the first Georgia basketball prospect to be selected with the top pick.

Edwards is considered one of the top NBA prospects to ever come out of the University of Georgia. In fact, Edwards is the highest selected played in UGA basketball history. NBA legend Dominique Wilkins was the previous record. Wilkins was picked third overall in the 1982 NBA Draft.

Here’s how social media reacted to the selection of Georgia Bulldogs star Anthony Edwards:

It is a memorable day for Anthony Edwards, who honored members of his family:

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NBA Draft: Timberwolves take Anthony Edwards with No. 1 overall pick

With the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, the Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards from Georgia.

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With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected guard Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia.

Edwards becomes the second No. 1 overall pick in Timberwolves history, joining Karl-Anthony Towns, who was the top selection in 2015. He also became just the second Bulldogs player to be selected in the top five, joining Dominique Wilkins, who was the third pick in 1983.

Edwards was considered by many to be the top pick in the draft. The Timberwolves were one of three teams Edwards worked out with prior to the draft, which was an indication he and his camp believed he wouldn’t slip further than the Charlotte Hornets with the third pick.

Minnesota had been rumored into wanting to trade down in the draft, even right up until they made the selection, but the organization ultimately held onto the pick and welcomed Edwards onto a roster that is expected to compete for a playoff berth with Towns and D’Angelo Russell.

The selection of Edwards in the draft on Wednesday finally happened after several postponements due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was originally scheduled to take place on June 25 and was then set to occur in October before the NBA opted to push it back until November.

The final product resulted in the NBA hosting its first-ever virtual draft with commissioner Adam Silver announcing the first-round selections from the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

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Minnesota Timberwolves select Georgia Bulldogs SG Anthony Edwards first overall

Georgia Bulldogs shooting guard Anthony Edwards in the NBA Draft. Edwards attended high school at Holy Spirit Prep School.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have selected Georgia Bulldogs shooting guard Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Edwards is the first University of Georgia player to be picked number one overall in school history.

Anthony Edwards played high school basketball at Holy Spirit Prep School in Atlanta, Georgia. He was rated as one of the top players in the class of 2019 before committing to the University of Georgia.

Edwards played in 32 games in his one season at Georgia. The six-foot-five, 225 pound shooting guard averaged 19.1 points per game. Edwards shows potential as a shooter despite only making 29.4% of his three point attempts for a talent-depleted Bulldog team.

Anthony Edwards is as talented as any player in the 2020 NBA Draft. He possesses impressive athleticism, finishes strong at the basket, has NBA-level shot-making ability, and is quite strong for a 19 year old prospect.

Additionally, Edwards has high defensive potential due to his six-foot-nine wingspan and his athletic traits. Edwards must lock-in on the defensive side of the ball in the NBA in order to fulfill his true potential.

Overall, Anthony Edwards is one of the most talented players in the 2020 NBA Draft and is worthy of the high selection. Now, he must get to work and prove himself at the next level.

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TEMPE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Anthony Edwards of the Georgia Bulldogs handles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the NCAAB game at Desert Financial Arena on December 14, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

 

Klutch Sports Draft: Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 in 2020 NBA Draft

Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game, five rebounds, and just under three assists during his freshman year at Georgia.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, at least at the time of publishing, decided to keep the No. 1 pick in Wednesday’s 2020 NBA Draft and selected Georgia’s Anthony Edwards to join their other two core pieces, Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. Edwards became the heavy favorite to go No. 1 overnight at the sportsbooks and he was emerging already as the physically strongest player available at the top of the draft in addition to his strong play at Georgia last season.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in 32 games. Edwards had three games last season in which he scored 30 points or more with the Bulldogs. According to some of the Georgia strength coaches, they’ve never seen anything like Edwards when it comes to his strength and athleticism.

While he was a guard in college, the 6-5 Edwards should be able to play on the wing at the NBA level and fit next to Russell and Towns. Edwards is the first Klutch Sports Group player since Ben Simmons in 2016 to No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft.

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