5. Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards is one of the most entertaining young players in the league right now. He is a force on both ends of the floor and captured fans with his goofy personality. As a result, he made his first All-Star appearance last season, also as an injury replacement.
While he already showed much promise before that, the All-Star nod solidified his standing as one of the rising young stars in the NBA. Over the summer, he played for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, and his performance had many NBA analysts wondering if he could be the next American-born star, the next face of U.S. basketball.
Starting just his third season as a pro, Edwards has not collapsed under the pressure. Averaging 24.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals, he is once again playing well and still getting even better.
Plus, the Timberwolves are playing great, sitting on top of the Western Conference with the best defensive rating in the league. Edwards is a big part of that. He leads the team in scoring, minutes per game, field goal attempts, and steals, impacting the game all over the court.
He can go get his own shot, initiate the offense, or harass ball handlers on the perimeter. His defense is something that sets him apart from a lot of the other top guards in the West. Many of the best scorers are not great defenders, but Edwards is a true two-way force and is making a legitimate case to make the All-Star squad this season.