ESPN has the Timberwolves star two spots outside the top five, and his path to moving up runs through his defense and his fit next to a new point guard.
Guard Anthony Edwards slipped one spot to No. 7 in ESPN's new NBA Rank, and the players ahead of him show what he still needs to add.
Guard Jalen Brunson sits one spot above him at No. 6, with guard Cade Cunningham right behind at No. 8, and the Minnesota Timberwolves star is still only 25.
Where Edwards Stands Now
Edwards had one of his best seasons in 2025-26.
He averaged a career-high 28.8 points in 61 games while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three, and he was named MVP of the All-Star Game.
ESPN pointed out that he missed out on an All-NBA spot because he played in only 61 games, even though he had played at least 72 games in each of his five seasons before that.
His playoff run did not go the way he wanted.
Minnesota went 49-33 and beat Denver in six games in the first round, but Edwards hurt his left knee in Game 4 and missed the last two games of that series.
San Antonio then beat the Wolves in six in the second round, and Edwards averaged 21.6 points on 42.8% shooting in 10 playoff games.
Defense Is the Biggest Step
The first place Edwards can move up is on defense.
Head coach Chris Finch wants him to get back to being a strong defender, and he explained why in a September interview with MinnPost.
"I think we are going to need him to get back to being a more high-leverage defender for us. His on-ball handling duties (on offense) will be reduced, which was probably the most taxing thing for him last year. I also feel that for him to have an MVP season, he has to have more of a defensive component."
Finch has this right, because the players ranked ahead of Edwards help their teams in every part of the game, and he is only asking Edwards to get back to a level he has reached before.
If Edwards locks in on that end, the voters will notice, and he will already be close to entering the MVP race.
Playing Next to LaMelo Ball
The second step is learning to play off the ball.
ESPN's big question for Edwards was whether he can keep growing as a passer, since ESPN found his assist rate last season was his lowest since he was a rookie.
Minnesota answered part of that by trading for guard LaMelo Ball in a four-team deal in July.
With Ball running the offense, Edwards will not have to bring the ball up every time, and that should free him up to attack when the defense is already moving.
Ball could even help him chase a scoring title.
Edwards still needs to pass out of double teams better, though, because the guys at the top of the list make that pass every night.
Winning will do the rest. Minnesota has the pieces to make a deep playoff run, and a healthy Edwards leading a team into May would do more for his ranking than any single stat.
Media day is Monday, and if the defense comes back, a spot in the top five is well within his reach by next fall.
