After back-to-back defeats in the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota Timberwolves‘ rising star Anthony Edwards has set his sights on returning even stronger next season. The 24-year-old guard, already regarded as one of the NBA’s brightest young talents, has received clear guidance from his head coach, Chris Finch, on what area to sharpen in the offseason: drawing fouls and earning more trips to the free throw line.
While Edwards’ free throw shooting accuracy is already among the best in the league—he ranked in the top five in total free throws made—Coach Finch believes there’s room for strategic growth in how he initiates contact and earns those chances, rather than purely relying on shooting excellence.
A Lesson from the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Playbook
Finch subtly pointed toward the dominance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), who led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a decisive 4-1 victory over the Timberwolves in the 2025 Western Conference Finals. SGA’s ability to consistently draw fouls and capitalize from the charity stripe became a key factor in the series.
SGA’s knack for getting to the line, especially under pressure, earned him both admiration and frustration—Timberwolves fans mockingly dubbed him the “Free Throw Merchant” during games at Target Center. Still, his approach proved highly effective.
Chris Finch believes that adopting a similar approach—without compromising Edwards’ natural game—could unlock another level for the Timberwolves’ franchise player.
“I think Anthony needs to expand his skill set a bit,” Finch said during a postseason press conference. “We need to support him in that growth. I want to see him attack the rim more, draw fouls consistently, and take advantage of what’s working in the league today. It might not be his natural style yet, but it’s definitely effective.”
Stellar Season, Yet Room to Grow for Anthony Edwards
Statistically, Edwards had his best season yet in 2024-25, averaging 27.6 points per game, the highest of his five-year NBA career. He also shot 39.5% from beyond the arc and maintained an impressive 83.7% free throw conversion rate—knocking down 415 out of 496 attempts.
However, the Western Conference Finals told a different story. Against OKC, Edwards struggled with efficiency, managing just 6-of-31 from three-point range in four losses. He scored 115 points across the series, while SGA posted 157 points, becoming the clear offensive leader on the court.
Though Edwards doesn’t yet draw fouls at the same rate as SGA, he still finished fifth in total free throw attempts for the season. The only players ahead of him were superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Trae Young, and of course, SGA himself.
Finch’s Vision: Evolve or Be Left Behind
Chris Finch, now 55, has made it clear: Anthony Edwards needs to evolve strategically if he wants to consistently compete at the championship level. The message is loud and clear—”If you can’t beat them, learn from them.”
The Timberwolves’ future hinges on Edwards continuing to mature into a complete offensive threat—someone who doesn’t just dazzle with highlight dunks and deep threes but also controls the game through smart foul-drawing tactics and game management.
As the Timberwolves look to break through in a stacked Western Conference, the next step in Anthony Edwards’ evolution could be the key to a championship run. And it starts now—in the offseason, with an emphasis on learning the art of the free throw game.
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