Anthony Edwards Sparks Hawks Speculation With All-Star Comments

Minnesota Timberwolves star's remarks to Jalen Johnson fuel dreams of homecoming for Atlanta fans

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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During the NBA All-Star Game, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was caught on camera appearing to tell Hawks forward Jalen Johnson "I can't wait to come home" and referencing the Hawks' wing depth. This sparked speculation among Hawks fans about the possibility of Edwards, a Georgia native, returning to play for his hometown team in the future.

Why it matters

Edwards is one of the NBA's rising young stars, making the All-Star team for the first time this season. The prospect of him potentially joining the Hawks, who are in the midst of a rebuild, would be a major coup for the franchise and excite the fanbase. However, Edwards is under contract with the Timberwolves for several more years, making a trade unlikely in the near future.

The details

In a video that went viral on social media, Edwards was seen approaching Hawks forward Jalen Johnson after the All-Star Game and making comments that seemed to indicate a desire to play in Atlanta someday. "I can't wait to come home... and y'all got so many wings there," Edwards appeared to tell Johnson. This fueled speculation among Hawks fans about the possibility of Edwards, who played college basketball at the University of Georgia, eventually joining the Hawks.

  • The comments occurred after the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on February 15, 2026.

The players

Anthony Edwards

A 24-year-old guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves who was named MVP of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. Edwards is considered one of the league's rising young stars and is from Atlanta, Georgia.

Jalen Johnson

A 24-year-old forward for the Atlanta Hawks who was on the receiving end of Edwards' comments at the All-Star Game.

Onsi Saleh

The general manager of the Atlanta Hawks, who has stated the team is in a rebuilding phase and not ready for a "big splash" trade at this time.

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What they’re saying

“I can't wait to come home... and y'all got so many wings there.”

— Anthony Edwards (Twitter)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Edwards' comments were made in jest or if he has a genuine interest in playing for the Hawks in the future. The Hawks would likely have to wait until Edwards' contract with the Timberwolves expires in 2029 before having a realistic chance of acquiring him, unless Minnesota decides to trade him sooner.

The takeaway

While the prospect of Anthony Edwards, a Georgia native, joining the Hawks is an enticing one for the franchise and its fans, the reality is that such a move appears unlikely in the near future given Edwards' current contract status. The Hawks are in a rebuilding phase and may need to wait several more years before they are in a position to pursue a star of Edwards' caliber.