Here are 3 Team USA players Erik Spoelstra can eventually recruit to Miami

Anthony Edwards

This is a no-brainer. Edwards is a superstar-in-the-making and exactly the kind of player the Miami Heat loves. Playing under Spoelstra would make his sky-high potential even bigger.

Recently, Heat head coach has been as impressed as all of us witnessing the Minnesota Timberwolves’ star evolution. Spo even compared the 22-year-old to Miami legend Dwyane Wade:

"“I’m not a guy for comparisons. I’m not. But the way he moves, the way he competes, the way he electrifies a crowd. Yes, that reminds me of ‘number three’ and I have told Anthony that. I feel like I’m going back in time. It’s making me younger again. I’m really enjoying it.” – Erik Spoelstra to CNN Philippines."

After Team USA FIBA World Cup debut win against New Zealand, Ant also gave some compliments back to Miami’s head coach. Edwards claimed to now understand where ‘Heat Culture’ comes from:

"“He’s been dope man, bringing a lot of energy and the ‘Heat Culture’. It’s exciting to see. His first day with the scout team, I was like ‘I see what they mean when they say Heat Culture’. They come out with a lot of energy and are right to the point and super precise with the details.”"

The more superstitious ones will point out that the Heat could one day recruit Edwards to replace Jimmy Butler, who also has his background as a Timberwolves star. That torch-passing could be a dream to Miami.

Viability: Not just Miami, but any team shouldn’t count on taking Edwards out of Minnesota too soon. As expected, he just signed a five-year designated rookie maximum extension with the Timberwolves, which means he won’t be hitting free-agency before 2029.

However, we’ve seen teams and players part ways before the contract runs out so many times. Even if the Heat shouldn’t worry about that anytime soon, Edwards is one to watch closer in the future – specially after that exchange of kind words.