The NBA preseason has become its own cottage industry of rankings, projections, and bold predictions. Every fall, fans and analysts argue over lists of the league’s top 100 players. This year, one debate in particular has dominated the conversation: Should Victor Wembanyama already be considered better than Anthony Edwards?
Depending on which list you read, Edwards and Wembanyama trade places somewhere in the No. 5–No. 7 range. Some outlets still have Edwards slightly ahead — a nod to his postseason success and steady ascent into superstardom. Others have Wembanyama leapfrogging him, driven largely by his sky-high potential.
Wembanyama Has Arrived
Wembanyama’s season debut felt like a statement — and it went a long way toward justifying his hype. The 7-foot-5 French phenom did things we’ve truly never seen before: using guard-level handles to blow by elite defenders, finishing through contact with a smoothness that defies physics. The highlight reels flooded social media within minutes. Some pundits even began suggesting he might already be the best player in the league.
But is he deserving of that kind of elevation so soon?
Don’t Forget About Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards might have something to say about that. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ rising star also had a brilliant opening night, leading his team to victory with the same blend of force and finesse that has defined his rise. He’s coming off a breakout year that saw him lead the Wolves to their second straight Western Conference Finals appearance and cement himself as the face of the franchise — and perhaps the next great American star of the NBA.
What’s the Difference?
Through the early stages of their respective careers, the difference between the two is clear. Edwards has been tested — by playoff pressure, by injuries, by expectations — and has consistently come out stronger. He’s been to the postseason in four of his five years in the league, winning a total of four playoff series along the way.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, has yet to reach even the Play-In, let alone the Playoffs. He has shown stretches of generational brilliance but has also battled durability concerns. For a player of his size and frame, staying on the floor will always be part of the challenge.
In terms of potential, there’s no question that Wembanyama’s ceiling might be the highest of any player in league history. His blend of size, skill, and defensive instincts makes him a unicorn among unicorns.
But Edwards’s floor is higher. He’s a proven scorer, an elite defender when locked in, and perhaps most importantly, he’s been durable (albeit he’s out with an injury at this current moment). In a league increasingly defined by load management and cautious health decisions, Edwards’ toughness and dependability matter — as do the results.
Loaded Western Conference
The Western Conference is in for a treat over the next decade. These two young stars represent the future — one redefining what’s physically possible on a basketball court, the other embodying the drive and swagger of a classic NBA alpha.
Maybe someday Wembanyama will deserve that spot above Edwards. Maybe even soon. But for now, until his production matches his potential over the long grind of an NBA season, Anthony Edwards still holds the edge.
Because greatness isn’t just about what you can be — it’s about what you do, night after night.
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