Minnesota superstar Anthony Edwards picks his favorite starting 5 in NBA history

The Minnesota Timberwolves were eliminated for the second straight year in the Western Conference Finals, this time by the Oklahoma City Thunder. But that didn’t take away from the impressive 2024-25 season Anthony Edwards had, firmly establishing himself as the team’s top star. The shooting guard named his all-time starting five in NBA history.

In an April 2025 interview with GQ Sports, Edwards was asked to choose the five greatest players in league history who, in his opinion, would form the ultimate team. He didn’t include himself, instead opting for current and former players who have inspired him throughout his life and professional career.

“At point guard, I’mma go with LeBron James,” he began. It was an unexpected pick, considering the Los Angeles Lakers star doesn’t usually play that position on the court. However, Anthony explained his reasoning: “Bron at the one, he getting everybody involved.”

At shooting guard, Edwards resisted the temptation to include himself and also passed over legends like Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. “At my two, I’m going, Michael Jordan,” he said—an all-time great choice few would argue with.

Anthony Edwards picked Michael Jordan as his shooting guard.

“At my three, you know who I’m going, Kevin Durant,” said the young Timberwolves star. He’s faced KD multiple times during his NBA career, giving him a firsthand look at the Phoenix Suns forward’s strengths. He also had the chance to play alongside Durant during the 2024 Paris Olympics with Team USA, giving him deeper insight into Kevin’s game.

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“At my four, I’m coming, Tim Duncan. At my five, I’m coming, Shaquille O’Neal,” Anthony continued. However, moments later, he made a modification. “I want to change my four. My four gonna be Nikola Jokic,” the 23-year-old guard added, surprising many by placing the Serbian star at a different position than the one he usually plays with the Denver Nuggets.

“My four is Jokic. No disrespect to Tim Duncan… They gonna foul Shaq, so I need somebody who gonna make it so easy for Shaq,” Edwards clarified. Still, he added: “Tim Duncan probably can do that too.”

Edwards’ final all-time starting five: LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, and Shaquille O’Neal. It’s a blend of retired legends like Shaq and MJ—the latter having already left the game when Anthony was just a child—and active stars he’s faced many times on the court.

Time has clearly shaped the Minnesota star’s perspective on the game and its greats. In a similar question back in 2022, Anthony Edwards named a starting five with two major differences: at that time, he left Michael Jordan out and picked himself as shooting guard, while Allen Iverson was his point guard and Nikola Jokic didn’t make the cut.