Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the verge of a major move, as the team is pursuing a trade for LaMelo Ball. On June 25, the Hornets traded Ball to the Wolves for Naz Reid and draft picks.
What happened?
The Timberwolves had the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and chose Anthony Edwards over James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball. Now, six years later, they are exploring the idea of uniting the No. 1 and No. 3 picks in the same backcourt.
Why it matters for Anthony Edwards
Timberwolves president Tim Connelly has grand ambitions as he dives into the trade and free agency season. He is considering Ball to upgrade Edwards' supporting cast. Connelly has long admired Ball's game, believing his superior passing and volume 3-point shooting would be an ideal fit next to Edwards.
What comes next?
The Timberwolves have an acute need for a point guard, and Ball would bring a new dynamic to the team. After playing in 72 games for the Hornets last season, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds, Ball could be the missing piece for the Wolves.
The Wolves used Edwards in the point guard role for much of last season, to varying degrees of success. He averaged a career-high 28.8 points but had his lowest assist average since his rookie season.
With Mike Conley aging out of the starting lineup and now a free agent, the Wolves do not have a classic point guard on the roster. They acquired Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline and re-signed him to a five-year, $112 million contract.
Ball would bring concerns as well, having played in only 105 of a possible 246 games in the three seasons prior to last due to injuries.
The Wolves are expected to make a strong push for Ball, with Connelly's aggressive approach to building a winning team around Anthony Edwards. As the NBA free agency season heats up, the Timberwolves are poised to make a major move.
On June 25, the Hornets traded LaMelo Ball to the Wolves, marking a new era for the team. With Ball on board, the Wolves are looking to make a deep playoff run, and Anthony Edwards is at the center of it all.
The Timberwolves' interest in Ball is no surprise, given Connelly's history of pursuing top talent. He chased Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo over the last two years and paid a premium for Rudy Gobert four years ago.
As the trade and free agency season continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves are ready to make a statement. With LaMelo Ball on the team, the possibilities are endless, and the Wolves are poised to take the NBA by storm.
The Wolves' general manager, Matt Lloyd, joked about Connelly's approach to free agency, saying he is getting ready to make some big moves. With the addition of Ball, the Wolves are looking to upgrade their roster and make a deep playoff run.
The NBA free agency season is always full of surprises, and the Timberwolves' pursuit of LaMelo Ball is just the beginning. As the team looks to build around Anthony Edwards, one thing is clear: the future is bright in Minnesota.
The trade for Ball is a major coup for the Wolves, and it marks a new era for the team. With Ball and Edwards leading the charge, the Wolves are ready to take on the best of the NBA.
The Wolves' fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the new season, and with the addition of Ball, the excitement is palpable. As the team looks to make a deep playoff run, one thing is clear: Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves are ready to put on a show.
The NBA is always full of surprises, and the Timberwolves' pursuit of LaMelo Ball is just the latest twist. As the team looks to build around Anthony Edwards, one thing is clear: the future is bright in Minnesota, and the Wolves are ready to take the league by storm.