It's no secret that Anthony Edwards is one of the most exciting players in the NBA. At just 24-years-old, Edwards is one of the best scorers in the NBA and the franchise face of the surging Minnesota Timberwolves. 

But there's a growing debate around Edwards not being just the face of the Timberwolves, but the face of the NBA as a whole, and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith just gave more than his two cents on the matter.

Edwards himself has deflected any talk about him being the face of the NBA. Just recently during All-Star Weekend he was asked directly about that status and instead of naming himself for consideration he pointed directly to another young star, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama as the face of the NBA.

But Smith doesn't think Edwards gives himself enough credit and on a recent episode of ESPN's First Take, Smith emphatically declared that it's going to be Edwards looked at as the league's biggest star when the old guard of players like LeBron James and Steph Curry eventually retire. 

"Ant Man is going to be the face of the NBA. Mark it down," Smith said (via First Take). "Wembanyama's right there with him. Might win before him for all we know. But Ant Man's gonna be right there. He is spectacular, box office, money. My favorite player. Him and Steph Curry."

Edwards, of course, has a lot more of his career ahead of him and more goals to achieve, so he many be more focused on that than any kind of extra-career accolades or unofficial titles. 

He's a four-time All-Star and All-Star game MVP, but league MVP's and NBA championships still await.

As of now, his electric offense and marketable personality make him one of the league's most visible one young stars, as evidenced by his jersey sales, but the most important things for Edwards' resume are tangible success in the league. 

That shouldn't be far out of hand for Edwards and the Timberwolves either. Minnesota may be the sixth-seed in the Western Conference at the moment, but Edwards' age gives Minnesota time to continue building around him in pursuit of the NBA crown. 

The Timberwolves were reportedly serious pursuers of Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline and while that trade didn't manifest for Minnesota or any other team, it shows the direction the team is willing to take to overcome the tough competition ahead of them in the Western Conference. 

Although, team success or not, as far as Smith is concerned, the future of the league is in Edwards' hands.