Minnesota Timberwolves: 4 Wolves lineup possibilities for 2020-21

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LaMelo Ball of the Illawarra Hawks could be the Minnesota Timberwolves’ No. 1 pick. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves Lineup No. 2: Draft LaMelo, Minimal Trades

Wolves Starting Lineup No. 2

G: D’Angelo Russell
G: LaMelo Ball
G: Malik Beasley
F: James Johnson
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Sixth Man: Josh Okogie

This lineup would result from the Wolves drafting LaMelo Ball with the first pick in the draft, which, similar to Lineup No. 1, would decrease Wolves’ ability to acquire other players in trades.

Ball would be an intriguing fit next to D’Angelo Russell. He has a basketball IQ that is largely unprecedented among prospects his age, which could be enough to justify a spot in the starting lineup.

However, by putting Ball in the starting lineup, the Wolves are faced with a tricky dilemma at the 3: Beasley’s offense or Okogie’s defense?

Ultimately, Beasley’s strong performance in his short time with the Wolves would likely give him the edge over Okogie. Additionally, Okogie has shown that he is comfortable coming off the bench in his time with the Wolves, whereas Beasley has been a starter in every game he’s played for the Wolves.

Ultimately, this lineup would have the potential to be strong offensively. If Ball’s creativity and athleticism were to mesh well with D’Lo and KAT’s pick and roll game, Beasley and Johnson would act as nice complimentary shooters and passers.

However, this lineup would be vulnerable defensively. LaMelo, though only 19 years old, has long been perceived as a non-defender, and Beasley would likely struggle to hang defensively with the bulk of small forwards in the NBA.