A Minnesota court has ordered Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards to pay $14,000 per month in child support for a four-year-old boy, Amir, whom the 25-year-old NBA All-Star testified under oath he has never met.
The ruling, issued in August 2026, replaces a prior $3,200 monthly order. The increase stems from a recalculation based on Edwards’ reported monthly income of $4.8 million, which annualizes to approximately $57.6 million.
Edwards’ sworn testimony was unambiguous. No visitation. No custody request. No relationship with the child.
He is contesting the amount, not the paternity itself.
The mother, Alexandria Descroches, has not publicly commented on the ruling.
The Ruling Breakdown: From $3,200 to $14,000
Minnesota’s child support guidelines operate on a percentage-of-income model. For one child, the base allocation is roughly 25% of net income, subject to statutory caps and add-ons for medical and educational expenses.
The original $3,200 figure was calculated against older, lower income estimates. The new figure reflects Edwards’ current max contract with the Timberwolves, signed in 2023, which pays him an average of $42 million annually, with escalating yearly values.
| Metric | Previous Order | Current Order |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | $3,200 | $14,000 |
| Annual total | $38,400 | $168,000 |
| Basis of calculation | Prior income estimates | $4.8M reported monthly income |
| Percentage of income | Undisclosed | ~0.29% of gross monthly income |
The court rejected Edwards’ “never met” defense as legally immaterial. In Minnesota, as in most U.S. states, financial support obligations are not conditioned on the existence of a parent-child relationship.
Legal Reality vs. Emotional Claim
Edwards’ legal team has not filed a motion to challenge paternity via DNA testing. That window may already be closed.
Minnesota Rule 60.02 allows a party to seek relief from a judgment based on fraud, mistake, or newly discovered evidence. The filing deadline is one year from the entry of judgment.
If the original paternity determination was established by default or prior acknowledgment, a DNA exclusion would need to be presented as newly discovered evidence. Courts rarely grant retroactive refunds even when paternity is successfully challenged.
Family law attorneys note a blunt reality: DNA is decisive only if obtained before judgment or presented through a credible fraud claim. After that, the system prioritizes the child’s financial stability over the father’s biological claims.
Public Reaction and the Broader NBA Pattern
Fan response has split along predictable lines. Some call it “paying for a ghost.” Others frame it as protecting the child’s rights, regardless of the father’s choices.
Edwards’ situation is not isolated. Public records show he has four children with four different women. The pattern mirrors other NBA stars.
| Player | Reported Monthly Child Support | Number of Children |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | $14,000 (current order) | 4 |
| Dwight Howard | Varied, multiple cases | 5+ |
| Shaquille O’Neal | Reported $20,000+ in early 2000s | 6 |
Income-based formulas do not account for actual contact. High earners face disproportionate burdens by design. The formula assumes a lifestyle standard for the child, not a reimbursement for expenses incurred.
Financial Impact and What Happens Next
$14,000 per month equals $168,000 per year. That represents less than 3% of Edwards’ annual salary. The financial strain is minimal.
The psychological and reputational toll is heavier.
Edwards must continue payments pending any appeal. Failure to pay risks contempt findings, wage garnishment, liens on assets, and potential NBA disciplinary action under the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
His legal options now include:
1. Filing a motion to vacate the judgment based on newly discovered evidence, if a DNA test excludes him and the one-year deadline has not lapsed.
2. Challenging the income calculation used in the revised order.
3. Negotiating a settlement with Descroches, potentially a lump-sum payment to reduce the monthly obligation.
If Edwards pays $14,000 monthly until Amir turns 18, the total exceeds $2.3 million. That math assumes no modification and no settlement.
Broader Lessons for Athletes
The case functions as a cautionary tale. Unprotected relationships carry contractual-style risks in family court, regardless of celebrity status.
Prenuptial and paternity agreements, while unromantic, provide the only meaningful protection against income-based support formulas that ignore emotional realities.
Edwards’ case is not about money. It is about the mechanical application of law to a biological fact he does not dispute, and a relationship he says does not exist.
The court does not care about the distinction.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was Anthony Edwards’ child support payment increased to $14,000 per month?
- A: The increase stems from a recalculation based on Edwards’ reported monthly income of $4.8 million, following Minnesota’s percentage-of-income child support guidelines, replacing the previous $3,200 order.
- Q: Can DNA evidence overturn the court’s child support ruling for Anthony Edwards?
- A: While DNA evidence could potentially challenge paternity, Edwards is contesting the amount rather than paternity itself, making it unlikely to overturn the payment order without a formal legal challenge to paternity.
- Q: Has Anthony Edwards ever met the child in question?
- A: No, Edwards testified under oath that he has never met the four-year-old boy, Amir, and has no visitation or custody request.
Extended Reading
For further context on this case, see the original reporting from Yahoo Sports , The New York Post , and Complex .