The LaMelo Ball era with the Charlotte Hornets has finally come to a close.
One of the blockbuster trades this offseason was the extreme haul the Minnesota Timberwolves gave up for Ball. On paper, the Timberwolves have solved a tricky problem they have had for years, but in return, they may have created another—and perhaps a bigger—issue for next season.
Pro: LaMelo Ball Solves the Wolves’ Need for a Legitimate Point Guard
For many seasons, the Timberwolves had bad luck pairing Anthony Edwards with an All-Star-caliber point guard. They may have Mike Conley, but the 38-year-old veteran is well past his prime. In his rookie year, Edwards had the pleasure of playing with Ricky Rubio, but that was it. Since then, he has had D’Angelo Russell, Patrick Beverley, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu—none of whom are true point guards.
According to accumulated data from the NBA during Edwards’ 2025–26 campaign, 61.3% of the All-NBA guard’s three-point attempts were self-created. That alone speaks volumes about the Wolves’ lack of a legitimate playmaker. For Ant-Man to shine, it was evident that the team needed a good floor general. LaMelo Ball may be exactly what they are looking for—an exciting and entertaining player who can also provide what the Timberwolves need next season. In connection with this, Ball, the third overall pick in the 2020 draft, won the Rookie of the Year award over his co-rookie, the first overall pick, Anthony Edwards, because of his stellar playmaking and impact on his teammates.
Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game last season and played his most games (72) since his sophomore year. The Edwards-Ball surely will be fun to watch—even in the cold breeze of Minnesota.
Con: Minnesota Is Left with Rudy Gobert as Its Sole Big
The Wolves may have found what they were looking for all these years, but unfortunately, they sacrificed a lot in their frontcourt. Julius Randle was traded to the Brooklyn Nets earlier this offseason, and 2024 Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid was part of the package in the LaMelo Ball trade. Both big men were crucial parts of the Timberwolves’ identity as a tenacious and physical rim-protecting team, along with four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Randle’s performance has been declining in the past couple of years, but Reid was a key factor in the team’s tough defensive efforts—especially against the Denver Nuggets. Without those two, the Wolves have given up frontcourt depth and overall talent.
Is LaMelo Ball the Winning Player the Wolves Are Looking For?
Ultimately, it will all come down to how LaMelo Ball performs next season. Will he help Minnesota achieve the postseason success they have always wanted? Will Ball be the key piece they have been searching for? Or will this be another disastrous move by the Timberwolves’ front office? We will see in the next three months.
