NBA superstar casually hints about one day joining the Knicks

The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a preseason blockbuster only to face each other just weeks later. While only a preseason game, it drew plenty of headlines due to former Knicks player Donte DiVincenzo's behavior. Despite that, the most interesting moment happened after the game.

After the game, during a jersey swap between former teammates Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, Edwards mentioned that he would like to play with Towns again. That could easily be seen as something a player says about a former long-time teammate. However, it didn't stop some Knicks fans from daydreaming about Edwards one day joining the Knicks.

Barring a trade, that wouldn't happen until the summer of 2029, when Edwards is 28 years old. By then everyone currently on the Knicks would no longer be under contract, including Jalen Brunson and Towns. Of course contract extensions and signings would happen before then but that would be their first chance to sign Edwards if he doesn't agree to an extension himself with the Wolves.

Do the New York Knicks have a chance at landing Anthony Edwards one day?

Players don't often spend the entirety of their careers with one team, especially nowaways. On the other hand, with supermax contracts, it gives the Wolves a great chance at keeping him under contract. They already agreed to a five-year rookie max extension without a player option, which will start this season and keep him locked up for the first nine years of his career. 

Players can, of course, ask for a trade but that would make him ineligible for signing a supermax deal. With 35% of the cap at stake and a skyrocketing salary cap, that would give the Timberwolves a big edge to keep him away from teams such as the Knicks.

In fact, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers have all stayed put, thanks to increasing contracts. With the increase of contract extensions, that has meant fewer superstars entering free agency and has forced big market teams to adjust rather than relying on it alone.

To their credit, the Knicks got much better by making smart signings rather than targeting big-name free agents. Actually, they signed Brunson to what turned out to be a great deal and did the same with Julius Randle.

Both players emerged as stars and the Knicks were able to later flip Randle for Towns. That will help them make noise in the East this season and beyond, but Knicks fans shouldn't hold their breath for Edwards to play for New York.