Anthony Edwards celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday, a milestone that highlights his rapid rise as one of the most notable players to don a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey. Although the Timberwolves have struggled to find consistent success over the past three decades, Edwards’ swift ascent into stardom stands out, signaling a bright future for the franchise. His career achievements have sparked numerous comparisons to <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA legends, fueling the discussion about how his progress measures up against all-time greats at the same age.

Edwards has scored 9,097 points before turning 24, ranking fourth in NBA history for total points at that age. He has been instrumental in leading the Timberwolves to consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances in the last two seasons and has taken his team to the playoffs in four of his five professional seasons. Although he missed out on the Rookie of the Year award, which went to LeMelo Ball in 2020-21, Edwards has since earned three All-Star selections and two All-NBA Second Team honors. Additionally, he has placed in the top 10 for MVP voting in both of the last two years, finishing seventh each time.

Comparing Edwards to Michael Jordan’s Early Career

Michael Jordan, often regarded as the greatest player ever, had scored 7,415 points before turning 24, playing just three seasons to Edwards’ five. Both players earned three All-Star nods by the same age, although Jordan secured his earliest All-Star spots consecutively, while Edwards reached that milestone in his third year. Jordan’s Chicago Bulls made the playoffs each season during his early career but failed to advance beyond the first round. In contrast, Edwards has guided the Timberwolves deeper into the playoffs more frequently, including two straight appearances in the Western Conference Finals.

Jordan’s notable early accolades include the 1984-85 Rookie of the Year award, three All-Star selections, a First Team All-NBA honor, a Second Team nod, and leading the league in scoring during the 1986-87 season.

Kobe Bryant’s Achievements Before Turning 24

Kobe Bryant, who entered the NBA straight from high school, had the advantage of an additional season compared to Edwards. By his 24th birthday, Kobe was riding the high of winning three consecutive NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. His team reached the Western Conference Semifinals twice and made a Western Conference Finals run in another season during his early years. Bryant was a four-time All-Star, earned four All-NBA selections, and was recognized for his defensive prowess with three All-NBA Defensive Team honors.

While Edwards has yet to receive a First Team All-NBA or All-NBA Defensive Team selection, Kobe’s early career included one First Team All-NBA honor, two Second Team nods, one Third Team, plus First and Second Team defense distinctions.

LeBron James and Edwards: Parallels by Age 24

LeBron James accumulated five full NBA seasons before his 24th birthday, much like Edwards. Over those five seasons, James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to three playoff appearances, finishing as high as the Eastern Conference Finals twice and reaching the NBA Finals once. LeBron was selected as an All-Star four times and made the All-NBA team on four occasions during this period. Both Jordan and James won their first MVP awards at age 24, while Edwards has yet to claim the honor, finishing seventh in MVP voting the last two seasons. Notably, LeBron ranked second in MVP voting as early as age 21, highlighting his rapid impact.

LeBron’s early achievements also include the 2003-04 Rookie of the Year, multiple All-NBA First and Second Team selections, and leading the league in scoring during the 2007-08 season.

Kevin Garnett: The Other Timberwolves Legend Compared to Edwards

Kevin Garnett, the only other Timberwolves player seriously contesting Edwards as the franchise’s greatest, racked up 6,496 points before his 24th birthday. Garnett had five seasons of NBA experience by then, with Minnesota making the playoffs four times but exiting in the first round each time; they missed the postseason entirely during his rookie year. Garnett earned three All-Star appearances by this point and distinguished himself as one of the league’s top rebounders in his age-23 season. His accolades include an All-NBA First Team selection, a Third Team honor, and a First Team All-NBA Defensive nod.

Kevin Durant’s Early Career Highlights

Kevin Durant, one of Edwards’ idols, achieved 9,978 points before turning 24 and won the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year award. Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder qualified for the playoffs in three of his first five seasons, with outcomes ranging from a first-round exit to the Western Conference Finals and an NBA Finals appearance. Durant established himself as an elite scorer early on by claiming three consecutive scoring titles before turning 24. Edwards came closest to matching this feat last season, finishing fourth in scoring with an average of 27.6 points per game. Durant’s early career also included three All-Star appearances and three First Team All-NBA selections.

Significance of Edwards’ Progress and What Lies Ahead

Anthony Edwards’ trajectory places him among a distinguished group of NBA legends by age 24, combining scoring ability, playoff success, and individual honors. His current standing, especially among players with similar years of experience like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, reflects a promising career trajectory. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, Edwards represents a potential franchise cornerstone capable of elevating the team beyond its historical playoff struggles. As Edwards continues to mature, securing All-NBA First Team honors and deeper playoff runs will be critical milestones that define his legacy against the all-time greats.