Once again All-Star Weekend stirs up speculation of the next star to potentially be on the move with this year’s culprit being none other that Anthony Edwards. A brief, mouth-covered exchange between the Minnesota Timberwolves guard and Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson went viral Sunday night, fueling speculation that the Atlanta native could someday return home.
Cameras caught Edwards appearing to say, "I can't wait to come home," while also referencing the Hawks' wing depth and Jonathan Kuminga. Without clear audio or context, the internet did what it does best: it filled in the blanks.
Edwards, a Georgia native, returning home to play as a pro player after spending the entirety of his youth and college career in his home state would indeed be poetic. It’s also a movie fans have seen time and time again in the NBA. Derrick Rose was drafted by his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, and became the youngest league MVP ever. LeBron James was drafted by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, left, came back and delivered a championship.
There is a beauty in the idea being the savior for the team that these stars grew up rooting for. The harsh reality in this situation is that Edwards is likely nowhere close to being a Hawks anytime soon.
Edwards is under contract through the 2028-29 season. The 23-year-old is in Year 2 of a five-year, $244 million extension. He's owed nearly $49 million next season, followed by escalating salaries north of $53 million and $55 million. There is no player option. No looming free-agency pressure. No leverage window.
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Minnesota also reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals. This isn't a stagnant franchise searching for direction. The Timberwolves are contending, and Edwards is the centerpiece of that window. Franchises do not trade 24-year-old superstars under long-term control unless something fractures internally. There is no evidence of that here.
Even if Atlanta wanted to explore the fantasy, the price would be historic. Johnson would be included. So would multiple first-round picks and likely additional young talent. Minnesota would only answer the phone for a Godfather-level offer.
Could All-Star Weekend conversations plant seeds? History says it's possible. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving eventually teamed up in Brooklyn. LeBron James and Anthony Davis aligned in Los Angeles. All-Star settings have sparked future partnerships before.
But timing matters. Edwards is not entering free agency. He is not hinting at dissatisfaction. He just won All-Star MVP and proudly reps Atlanta roots whenever possible. That doesn't equal trade demand.
The smarter read? Context is missing.
"Home" could mean a few days in Atlanta before Minnesota resumes play. It could mean nothing basketball-related at all.
For now, this is smoke not fire. Wolves fans shouldn't panic. Hawks fans shouldn't start jersey edits. Edwards is under contract, Minnesota is winning, and the league rarely sees superstars move without structural pressure. All-Star Weekend created another viral subplot. It did not create an imminent trade.
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