2026 NBA All-Star Weekend Highlights
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend certainly packed a punch. There were whispers about Kevin Durant’s supposed burner account issue, an underwhelming dunk contest, and an All-Star Game that saw Kawhi Leonard take charge while Victor Wembanyama kept the game lively. For a few days, the focus shifted away from tanking—perhaps that’s all the league could really hope for.
When elite players converge for these events, moments inevitably spark conversations. After Sunday’s All-Star Game, Anthony Edwards was caught covering his mouth while chatting with Atlanta Hawks’ Jaylen Johnson. It appeared he might have said something along the lines of, “I can’t wait to get home,” followed by comments about the abundance of wings and praise for (Jonathan) Kuminga. I recall interviewing Edwards back in high school in Atlanta in 2019 when his dreams of becoming a prominent NBA player seemed far-off. Now, having achieved that dream, the thought of heading back home might be on his mind.
You can check out the clip and draw your own conclusions.
But is it time for the Timberwolves to worry? Edwards’ contract is set to last until the end of the 2028-2029 season. Since being the top pick in the 2020 draft, the Timberwolves have made it to the Western Conference Finals in consecutive seasons. They’re expected to rely on him for several more playoff runs before he hits free agency.
Interestingly, the NBA hasn’t seen a superstar switch teams in free agency since Kawhi Leonard did back in 2019. Edwards pondering a return to Atlanta could be intriguing, especially since elite players often gravitate toward markets like New York or Los Angeles. There’s a certain allure to the Eastern Conference that might be tempting.
Then again, perhaps Edwards was just chatting about his return to Minnesota after the All-Star festivities. Or maybe he was simply discussing chicken wings, not forwards. If that’s the case, why cover his mouth?
For now, Wolves fans can breathe a sigh of relief, and Hawks fans shouldn’t get too carried away either. Edwards is secured on a solid team, but he won’t be exploring free agency for quite a while. This narrative is shaping up to be a new buzz from this All-Star weekend.
