The Minnesota Timberwolves are firmly in the playoff mix out West, but that hasn’t stopped their front office from thinking bigger-much bigger. According to a new report, the Wolves recently reached out to the Charlotte Hornets to check in on the availability of their franchise cornerstone, LaMelo Ball.
Now, this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill trade call. Minnesota wasn’t just browsing the trade market-they were price-checking one of the league’s most electric young guards, reportedly comparing Ball’s value to that of Atlanta’s Trae Young. That’s a bold move, and it speaks volumes about how aggressive the Wolves are willing to be in their pursuit of championship-level upgrades.
Let’s talk fit, because it’s a fun one to imagine. Pairing Ball’s creative, fast-paced playmaking with Anthony Edwards’ explosive scoring ability?
That’s a backcourt built to give defenses headaches. Edwards draws so much attention with his scoring gravity, and Ball’s ability to manipulate defenses with vision and tempo could unlock another level for Minnesota’s offense.
It’s the kind of combo that could push the Wolves from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.
But Charlotte isn’t exactly in selling mode right now. The Hornets are riding a seven-game win streak, and Ball has been at the heart of it all.
In their latest win-a 102-95 comeback against the Pelicans-Ball showed exactly why he’s viewed as untouchable by the Hornets’ front office. He dropped 24 points, grabbed eight boards, and dished out five assists, all while rallying his team from a 22-point deficit.
And he did it after a scary early-game collision with head coach Charles Lee, no less.
The Timberwolves check in with the Hornets on Lamelo Ball, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/b0YMHB4Q2m
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 6, 2026
That kind of resilience and leadership is exactly why Hornets GM Jeff Peterson is reportedly reluctant to shake things up. With the team finally clicking under Lee’s guidance, the priority in Charlotte seems to be continuity-letting this young core grow together rather than breaking it up mid-season.
As for Minnesota, this isn’t a signal of panic-it’s a sign of ambition. The Wolves are clearly on the hunt for a secondary playmaker to ease the burden on Edwards and elevate their ceiling.
Even if LaMelo Ball was always a long shot, the fact that Minnesota made the call shows they’re not content with just being good. They want to be great.
For now, Ball stays put in Charlotte, where he’s leading one of the hottest teams in the league. But make no mistake: the Timberwolves are watching, waiting, and willing to make a move if the right opportunity comes along.