5. Anthony Edwards, guard, Georgia
It’s completely valid to question whether or not Anthony Edwards can impact winning in the NBA. He’s not the most valuable archetype — a ball-dominant scorer prone to bad shot selection and severely limited as a facilitator — but again, a lot of drafting comes down to talent. Edwards has been atop draft boards all season for a reason.
At UGA, Edwards was given free reign to chuck shots and carry the offense. He will need to settle down in the NBA, but that may happen by default. He’s a gifted shot-maker with real potential as a No. 1 scorer in the NBA. Charlotte, for example, is an early lottery team in need of a player who can shoulder that burden.
Edwards is a powerful athlete at 6-foot-5, using his chiseled frame to outmuscle and overwhelm most defenders who challenge him en route to the basket. Because of that strength, and the subsequent ability to finish at the rim, that Edwards should settle for fewer contested jumpers.