The NBA rumor mill is a funny thing. It takes one photo of two stars laughing at mid-court or a cryptic "eye" emoji on Instagram and suddenly, the internet has decided a blockbuster trade is imminent. Lately, the names Anthony Edwards and the Lakers have been stuck together in a cycle of "what if" scenarios that feel more like NBA 2K than reality.
But look, we have to talk about the Luka factor first.
Last season, the Lakers pulled off the unthinkable by landing Luka Dončić. It was a move that shifted the entire tectonic plate of the Western Conference. Now, fans are greedy. They see Anthony Edwards—the league’s premier "alpha" personality—and they start dreaming of a trio featuring LeBron James, Dončić, and "Ant-Man."
Is it actually happening? Short answer: Not today. Long answer? It’s complicated, and it involves a massive contract, a stubborn Minnesota front office, and the literal rules of the collective bargaining agreement.
The $244 Million Roadblock
You can’t just "get" Anthony Edwards. He’s currently the crown jewel of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he’s paid like it. In 2023, Edwards signed a five-year rookie max extension worth up to $260 million. Because he made All-NBA Second Team in 2024, that "Rose Rule" escalator kicked in.
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Currently, for the 2025-26 season, he’s making roughly $45.5 million. By the time his contract ends in 2029, he’ll be pulling in over $55 million a year.
Minnesota didn't give him that money to let him walk to Los Angeles. They gave it to him because he is the franchise. Honestly, the Timberwolves front office would probably trade the mascot, the arena, and the city of Minneapolis before they voluntarily moved Edwards. They’ve built their entire identity around his "Bring Ya Ass" energy.
The Lakers’ cap situation is also... tight. To put it mildly. With LeBron still defying the aging curve and Luka Dončić on the books, finding another $45 million in space is a mathematical nightmare. Unless the Lakers are willing to move everything that isn't nailed down, the money just doesn't work.
That 2025 Playoff Series Changed Everything
If you want to know why Lakers fans are so obsessed with Edwards, look back at the 2025 playoffs. The Lakers and Wolves went to war. It was a chess match between JJ Redick’s "confusing" defensive schemes and Edwards' raw power.
Edwards actually admitted in a post-game presser that the Lakers' zone-morphing defense was the first thing to ever truly baffle him. "Every time I caught the ball at the top, it was kind of like they was in a zone," he told reporters. That respect goes both ways. Edwards spent the series praising LeBron’s "Yucatan" shots—those deep, 35-foot bombs that only a 41-year-old GOAT can hit with a straight face.
There is a weird, mutual respect there. LeBron clearly sees a bit of that old-school competitive fire in Ant. And for the Lakers, Edwards represents the one thing they lack: a vertical, downhill threat who can guard the opposing team's best wing for 40 minutes.
Why the Rumors Won't Die
The speculation usually stems from three specific things:
- Klutch Sports Connection: For a while, the agency connection fueled the fire. People assume if you're with Klutch, you're a Laker-in-waiting. However, Edwards is currently represented by WME Basketball and Bill Duffy. That "LeBron's teammate" pipeline isn't as direct as it used to be.
- The "Big Market" Gravity: There’s always a narrative that a star as big as Ant needs the bright lights of LA. But let’s be real. Edwards is already a global superstar in Minnesota. He’s got the Adidas deal, the movies, and the face of the league status. He doesn't need a Lakers jersey to sell shoes.
- The 2026 Draft "Doppelgänger": Interestingly, the Lakers have been linked to Baylor freshman Tounde Yessoufou for the 2026 draft. Scouts literally call him an Anthony Edwards clone. If the Lakers can’t trade for the real thing, they might just try to grow their own version.
What Really Happens Next?
The "Anthony Edwards and the Lakers" dream is mostly just that—a dream. Minnesota is currently sitting in the top four of the West. They are winning. They have a core of Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle surrounding their star.
Minnesota has navigated the "Second Apron" tax issues specifically to keep this group together. They aren't in "fire sale" mode. They are in "win a ring" mode.
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If you’re a Lakers fan, the more realistic path is internal growth and small-scale trades. Names like Isaac Okoro have been floated as trade targets to bring that defensive grit the team needs. Relying on a superstar trade for Ant is a recipe for disappointment.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this saga, don't get caught up in the clickbait. Here is how to actually track the situation:
- Watch the All-NBA Teams: If Edwards misses an All-NBA team this year due to the 65-game rule (he's currently hovering near the limit), it doesn't change his contract, but it might change his frustration level with the league's rewards system.
- Monitor the Wolves' Ownership Battle: The ongoing legal drama between Glen Taylor and the Marc Lore/Alex Rodriguez group is the only thing that could actually destabilize the franchise enough to force a star trade. If the money gets messy at the top, that's when you start worrying about a rebuild.
- Focus on the 2026 Draft: Keep an eye on Tounde Yessoufou at Baylor. If he stays in the Lakers' draft range (roughly pick 22 based on current standings), that’s your most likely "Ant-Man" experience in purple and gold.
The NBA is a star-driven league, and stars eventually move. But Anthony Edwards is a different breed. He seems to genuinely enjoy being the hero in a "small" market. Until the Timberwolves stop winning, he isn't going anywhere.
Check the 2026 NBA All-Star voting results coming out next week to see where Ant and the Lakers' stars rank in fan support—it's the best barometer for how these fanbases are feeling about each other.