The Minnesota Timberwolves made one of the biggest moves of the offseason, trading for former All-Star guard LaMelo Ball. The Wolves moved off Naz Reid, a former Sixth Man of the Year and fan favorite, along with a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks to land Ball, along with 6-foot-6 guard Josh Green. After falling short in the playoffs the last few years, the Timberwolves felt pressure to add more star talent around Anthony Edwards and give him a natural point guard to take some of the pressure off him as the team's primary ball-handler.
Ball offers exactly that, and Edwards has already made it clear he's excited about the pairing. When asked recently about his new teammate, Edwards didn't hold back. "That's my point guard, I love him to death, and I'm happy he's here," Edwards said.
More news: NBA Owners Urge Pablo Torre to Investigate LeBron James’ Fanatics Deal: Report On paper, the pairing of Ball and Edwards should give Minnesota one of the best backcourts in the NBA. Ball averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists in 72 games last season, while shooting 36.8% from 3-point range, giving the Wolves a natural playmaker who can space the floor, create shots for others, and push the pace. Edwards, meanwhile, averaged a career-high 28.8 points per game, but saw his assists drop as he took on more point-guard responsibilities.
Ball's arrival allows Edwards to return to his more natural shooting-guard role, where he can focus on scoring, attacking from the perimeter, and putting pressure on defenses without having to run the offense. Ball should also pair well with Rudy Gobert, using his creative passing to set up lobs and easier finishes around the basket. His ability to create plays could also open up more driving lanes for forwards Jonathan Kuminga and Jaden McDaniels, unlocking another dimension in Minnesota's offense.
More news: Heat Get Sobering Prediction Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo Blockbuster More news: Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox Gets Roasted by Fans After Defending Playoff Performance The Timberwolves have enough depth on the wing between Ball, Edwards, Kuminga, and McDaniels, along with guards Ayo Dosunmu, Donte DiVincenzo, and Bones Hyland. The biggest test will be in the front court after losing both Reid and Julius Randle. If they can fill the pieces around Gobert, though, Minnesota has the talent to compete with the West's best teams in 2026-27.
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