All signs point to LaMelo Ball as he works out for the Minnesota Timberwolves

LaMelo Ball seems to be gaining traction as the most likely pick for the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 1 in the 2020 NBA Draft.

We’re within a week of the 2020 NBA Draft, and all signs are beginning to point towards the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting LaMelo Ball with the No. 1 overall pick.

In addition to several of the most prominent mock drafts aligning in recent days, the Wolves reportedly were the first team to put Ball through an on-court workout.

Of course, that doesn’t mean things can’t change — the Wolves are involved in plenty of trade talks, to be sure — but things are certainly looking like their starting to come together.

LaMelo Ball reportedly worked out for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Up until this week, Ball had been declining to work out for NBA teams interested in drafting him. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, that changed on Wednesday.

Givony reports that Ball worked out for president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, executive vice president of basketball operations Sachin Gupta, and head coach Ryan Saunders. According to the report, Ball “shot the ball well” and there were “no issues”, for whatever that’s worth.

It’s notable that Ball worked out for the Wolves, given his refusal to do so for anyone up until this point. Ball had already interviewed with other lottery teams, including the Wolves, Golden State, Charlotte, and Chicago — the teams holding the first four picks in the draft.

Ball doesn’t seem like the type of player who would excel in individual, 1-on-0 workouts. Ball’s best skills are his courtvision and passing, and one of his biggest drawbacks is his jump shot. Then again, most players shoot the ball best in an empty gym, so perhaps the more controlled environment helped Ball’s case.

The fit with the Wolves still isn’t perfect: Ball is best with the ball in his hands, as is incumbent point guard D’Angelo Russell. Ball is a below-average 3-point shooter, and if he plays off the ball occasionally with Russell, that could be an issue.

Perhaps the biggest issue, however, is his defense, although his 6-foot-7 height and 6-foot-10 wingspan should help him at least be passable defensively as long as he plays hard.

It’s important to note that rumors are still flying, from the James Wiseman (likely) smokescreens to both Anthony Edwards and Isaac Okoro making their own pitches to be picked No. 1.  There’s also the trade possibilities, of which there are an infinite number.

Now that the Wolves have not only met with Ball but pursued an in-person workout as well, they’re at least signaling to the rest of the league that they’re seriously considering taking him first overall, and it’s fair to say that he’s the favorite at this point in time.

Until the next trade rumor, that is…