Anthony Edwards doesn’t want to be the face of the NBA, and that’s okay

Anthony Edwards can still be a great NBA player without having to take on the responsibility of being the face of the league.

The 23-year-old went from All-Star to superstar last season when he helped lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. With that came the belief that he could be the next face of the NBA, something the league is starved for as LeBron James looks to pass the torch.

But during All-Star Weekend, Edwards repeatedly attempted to decline the offer.

“Not really,” Edwards said when ESPN’s Dave McMenamin asked if he considers himself a candidate to be the face of the NBA. “That’s what they got Wemby for.”

Later in the weekend, Edwards clarified his hesitation but reaffirmed that he doesn’t want to become the face of the league.

“I’m capable of being that guy,” Edwards said. “But I don’t want to be that guy, put it like that. I want to be the guy to just show up and hoop and just kill dudes and go home.”

He is capable. Edwards has already proven the ability to lead a team in the playoffs. He can take over a game offensively and is known for electric dunks. It would have been great for the NBA to come away from their disastrous All-Star Weekend by at least having someone to market as the face of their league. But instead of relishing the opportunity to take the baton from LeBron, Edwards seems adamant about rejecting the offer.

The NBA should be getting a little antsy as they look for someone to take the torch like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron have in recent decades, especially as they market their new TV deals. And NBA media will keep seeking to answer the question of who will succeed LeBron through Mount Rushmores, rankings, and top-five lists. What NBA player doesn’t want to routinely top those lists to be considered the face of the league?

Anthony Edwards, and that’s okay.

If Edwards said, “Yes! I’m the face of the NBA!” it would automatically put unnecessary expectations on a player who is still just 23 years old. Not only would Edwards have to answer to declaring himself the face of the NBA, but he would also have to handle even more comparisons to Michael Jordan.

Credit Edwards for being honest. There is no shame in putting on a good show, letting your talent shine, and then just wanting to go home. There’s also no shame in just letting someone become the face of the NBA organically. Maybe five years from now, Victor Wembanyama will be the face of the league, as Edwards and many others have predicted. Or maybe we’ll look at Edwards as the face of the NBA without him ever having to make that declaration for himself.