LaMelo Ball gives the Minnesota Timberwolves something they’ve been missing around Anthony Edwards: a co-star who can bend a defense in more than one way.
That’s the heart of why Ball looks like such a clean fit. He brings elite playmaking, which lines up directly with Edwards’ biggest weakness and one of the Wolves’ lingering offensive gaps in recent years.
He also adds perimeter scoring and another layer of shot creation next to Edwards. Last season, Ball ranked in the 98th percentile for playmaking talent and the 97th percentile for overall gravity per Basketball Index.
It’s that blend - creator and scorer, with real pull on the defense - that makes the pairing so dangerous. Ball is also comfortable working off the ball, and that matters because Edwards is such a strong isolation scorer.
The age match helps, too. Ball is 25, which fits Edwards’ timeline. And with Minnesota lacking draft capital, landing a co-star who checks this many boxes is a major break for the Wolves.
Defense is the one area that tends to come up with Ball, and yes, he’s not a good defender. But he’s not the kind of complete liability some critics make him out to be, and the Wolves have enough defensive structure to help cover his weaker spots. In the end, the offensive fit is so strong that it should outweigh most of the concerns.
Minnesota has already shown it can win. The Timberwolves have reached two conference finals in the past three seasons, and they’ve done it without much in the way of secondary creation or lead playmaking alongside Ant. In the biggest moments over the past three playoffs, that lack of another creator has hurt them.
Ball changes that equation. If he solves the problem that’s kept Minnesota from taking the next step, the Wolves could reach another level and have a real shot at the championship.
He hasn’t played in the playoffs yet, but the talent is there for him to be a championship-level second option. And the path won’t be simple, with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in the mix. Still, Minnesota has a true puncher’s chance because Ball addresses so many of the roster’s old flaws while fitting seamlessly next to Edwards.
And it’s not just about Ant. The rest of the roster should benefit, too.
Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert are elite defenders. McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga are a high-level forward duo.
Ayo Dosunmu is a great sixth man. Ball’s presence should lift the whole group, not just the star he’s paired with most often.
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For Minnesota, the part worth watching is what happened once Dillingham was rerouted again. The former first-round pick barely had time to settle into a new stop before Charlotte moved on from him, underscoring how fast front offices can cycle through young talent when the paperwork and payroll get tight. It is a reminder that sometimes a promising name changes hands as part of a larger accounting exercise, even if the player development questions still hang in the background. [Read more 🡒]
Timberwolves Are Counting On Trey Lyles For Something Bigger This Season
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At media day, Lyles made it clear he understands the role in front of him is bigger than box-score production. Minnesota is counting on him for veteran steadiness and a strong presence in the room, with Rudy Gobert the only player on the roster older than him. For a team trying to keep its core grounded through a long season, that kind of addition can matter even when the rotation does not make space for it every night. [Read more 🡒]
LaMelo Ball Arrives In Minnesota With An Uncomfortable Off Court Cloud
LaMelo Balls first summer in Minnesota has come with the usual on-court adjustment period after his move from Charlotte, but there has also been an off-court story drawing attention as he gets ready for the upcoming season. The Timberwolves are welcoming a high-profile guard into the fold, and with that comes the kind of scrutiny that follows star players anywhere they land.
Balls partner, Ana Montana, was arrested in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on charges tied to controlled substances and has since been released on bond. The case is still ongoing, leaving an uncomfortable backdrop around a player whose arrival in Minnesota is supposed to be about basketball, chemistry and a fresh start. [Read more 🡒]