Anthony Edwards Is Ready for Ups and Downs With New Co-Star LaMelo Ball

Anthony Edwards has never been shy about saying what he thinks, and his latest comments about LaMelo Ball fit that pattern.

Speaking with Taylor Rooks at Fanatics Fest in New York City, the Minnesota Timberwolves star admitted the first season alongside his new backcourt partner could be bumpy, and he sounded completely at peace with that.

The two guards have already spent a couple of days together at Edwards' house this summer, and the four time All-Star wants everyone to understand that patience will be part of the plan while one of the most fascinating pairings in the league finds its footing.

"It's definitely going to be ups and downs. First year together maybe a lot of downs. We'll celebrate both of them. Celebrate the ups, celebrate the downs," Edwards said.

Minnesota paid a steep price to put these two together.

The Hornets received Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first round pick, three second round picks, and a series of pick swaps in the deal, which became official on July 10 as part of a four team trade that also sent Julius Randle to Brooklyn.

Ball arrives after averaging 20.1 points and 7.1 assists in 72 games for Charlotte, his best availability in four seasons, while Edwards is coming off a career year in which he posted 28.8 points per game despite missing time himself.

Head coach Chris Finch has already opened up about what Ball should bring to the offense.

Edwards is treating the summer like a head start.

He told Rooks he was heading straight home after the event because time together away from the court translates to wins on it.

"I'm rushing back to Minnesota so we can kick it a little more, 'cause I think a lot of people misjudge the NBA. It's just like AAU," he said.

The two have even discussed cleaning up their famously colorful postgame interviews, with Edwards joking, "So, we trying to get it together before they get on us."

Those comments echo what he shared recently about his early relationship with Ball, and the duo has reportedly been rehearsing those interviews together already.

Minnesota lost Reid and Randle in one summer, and Donte DiVincenzo is expected to miss a large chunk of next season after tearing his Achilles in the playoffs, so the frontcourt depth is thinner and the offense will lean hard on its two stars.

Growing pains feel almost guaranteed with a new lead guard learning a new system.

Edwards seems to know it, and his willingness to say it out loud might be the healthiest sign of all for a partnership that will be a part of the franchise for years.