Build around Luka or Edwards?

[___Rand___]

Luka is the better player right now. Ant could be better in the future. As a GM I'd still go with Luka to build a brand for the franchise, fill butts in the seats, and hope and pray that he sees the light one day and gets in shape. Because a GM's job isn't just to build a championship team, but also to sell TICKETS and build a team's brand..

I’m surprised you think the marketability argument doesn’t favor the charismatic and electrifying American.

Luka is the bigger global brand than Ant.

[Patches Perry]

It's still Luka, but the defensive advantage by Ant makes it closer than most think.

[firedavidkahn]

Looking at the results of the poll, I now understand why Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins are getting those huge paychecks: hot takes and "what have you done for me today" culture at its finest.

Kendrick Perkins has been on Ants nuts since the Memphis series years ago. He is the OG media personality getting behind Ant. He is no prisoner of the moment when it comes to Ant.

[shrink]

Luka is the better player right now. Ant could be better in the future. As a GM I'd still go with Luka to build a brand for the franchise, fill butts in the seats, and hope and pray that he sees the light one day and gets in shape. Because a GM's job isn't just to build a championship team, but also to sell TICKETS and build a team's brand..

I’m surprised you think the marketability argument doesn’t favor the charismatic and electrifying American.

Luka is the bigger global brand than Ant.

Sportico has Ant endorsements 5th right now at $20, Luka’s last year $12 doesn’t put him in the top 10.

https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2025/nba-endorsement-leaders-curry-james-durant-1234828241/

Anthony Edwards signed his own eight-figure-a-year extension with Adidas, which has used the Minnesota Timberwolves wing prominently in its marketing campaigns. Edwards’ first signature shoe was released in December 2023 and was a hit. His other partner brands are Sprite, Fanatics, Chipotle, Bose, Hisense, Call of Duty and Panini.

I expect the gap between Ant’s endorsements and Luka’s to increase after this playoffs.

[___Rand___]

I’m surprised you think the marketability argument doesn’t favor the charismatic and electrifying American.

Luka is the bigger global brand than Ant.

Sportico has Ant endorsements 5th right now at $20, Luka’s last year $12 doesn’t put him in the top 10.

https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2025/nba-endorsement-leaders-curry-james-durant-1234828241/

Anthony Edwards signed his own eight-figure-a-year extension with Adidas, which has used the Minnesota Timberwolves wing prominently in its marketing campaigns. Edwards’ first signature shoe was released in December 2023 and was a hit. His other partner brands are Sprite, Fanatics, Chipotle, Bose, Hisense, Call of Duty and Panini.

I expect the gap between Ant’s endorsements and Luka’s to increase after this playoffs.

Fair enough.

[Raps in 4]

Luka is easier it build around IMO. He's an elite shotmaker and passer. Ant is just a shotmaker.

[Jedi32]

Ant plays both sides.

I can't really take Luka serious when he doesn't even care to play defense. He will never win a championship until he plays on that side of the ball.

Just curious if you feel the same way about Jokic?

Jokic doesn't flat out quit on defense. He may not be the best defender, but he at least gives effort.

Lol no he doesn't, but ok.

[Chokic]

Luka is the better player but im not liking Lukas current trajectory. He looks like a shell of himself already at only 26.

[Yuri36]

Luka is a better player than Edwards, in a vaccum it's a no brainer, but I've seen enough of Ant and there are enough question marjs about Luka's commitment I lean Ant.
There are some terrible takes abouy Luka (like criticising his defense for example) but it's been 2 years (21 and 24) where he came in terrible shape, when the team needed him to be in top shape (new coach in 21 and 1st time on a contender in 24).
At this point, it's legit to duck him points over it.

His terrible defense mostly happens when he is in terrible shape which admittedly has happened quite often over the last few years.
When he is in decent shape, his defense looks decent in fact as he has very good instincts.
Hell, I even remember him blocking LeBron twice on the same play during his rookie year

[Yuri36]

I’m gonna shock myself as a previous huge Luka homer, Edwards hater and pick Edwards.

I think with regards to Luka’s conditioning, desire to stay fit and healthy he may be on the Bird trajectory of peaking early and having a short career due to injury issues.

So while Luka is the better player at his best, and has more upside I trust Ant’s competitive drive, work ethic and health way more. Plus Ant shows a desire to also be an elite defender.

Watching a highlight video of Luka 2-3 years ago where he was way faster, craftier, more athletic was eye opening. Like currently he’s what 25? But plays like he’s 33.

And 33 is actually generous as most of NBA guards at that age are still more in shape and way more athletic than Luka was 4/5 years ago, let alone in the last 2/3 years.

[Yuri36]

I'm a Wolves fan and it took me only couple seconds to vote Luka.


Despite his effort/defensive flaws and heliocentric way, Luka is a GENERATIONAL offensive savant. His last season of 33/9/9 is burned into my retina. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing...

To cut it short: he is still better then Ant right now.



That may change in the future tho.

And yet was only third in the MVP votes (which I honestly still continue to find ridiculous considering the historical season he had).

I wonder how much it hurted him....
Anyway, you can be sure that had it happened to a MJ or a Kobe, those guys would have worked their asses out even more and not taken a single day off just in order to make a point to the voters and showing them how wrong they were.

Sadly, Luka doesn't seem to have even half of their competitive mentality, at least off the court.....a shame as I truly believe he is more gifted than both when it comes to pure basketball talent and IQ.

[TheShow2021]

Luka is easier it build around IMO. He's an elite shotmaker and passer. Ant is just a shotmaker.

Other than one Kyrie type player, Luka needs to be surrounded by good to elite defenders with 3/4 being 3 point threats, and mostly players with low usage who are content to be statues in the corners.

With Ant you have more leeway on how you build your team. You can get away with an extra higher usage player and an extra below average defender.

[1993Playoffs]

Probably Ant at this point. Few years ago this would have been a crazy question

[California Gold]

Funny thread after that performance in a must-win. Season is basically over at this point for him. Luka has been to a finals. Till Edwards can prove otherwise, even his age aside, there’s only one answer here.


And the thing for Ant is, the west is about to get a whole lot tougher. No more easy 1st and 2nd rounds. He was admirable last season, showed killer instinct. Beat the reigning champs on the road in a game 7. Dude has been a dud in comparison during these playoffs. He’s just along for the ride with this team.

[TheGOATRises007]

Luka is still way better.

I think Luka's next season is very important for the trajectory of his career, but he's still superior as a player over ANT.

[Infinite Llamas]

How Edwards is leading this poll is mind blowing…

[TheGOATRises007]

How Edwards is leading this poll is mind blowing…

His poor games are always ignored. Even by the media.

People think his game 3 performance is the typical Ant-man performance. He's not that caliber of player.

[JustBuzzin]

How Edwards is leading this poll is mind blowing…

He plays both sides. It's really that simple.

[Jazz9]

I already said it and I'll say it again but Luka in the current Minny team would have been an awesome fit (if that Luka/Ant swap really was on the table) and they'd 100% be a better team. Could very well have been this year's champs.
I'm also sure we'd have seen a better Luka than the Lakers version.
And it's not lika Ant is so much younger, they're not even 2 1/2 years apart with Ant having a game relying in big part on athleticism.

I understand the reservations about Luka's conditioning though.

[Handlez]

Luka vindicated.

Next challenger step up.

Luka stays goated.