After salary-dumping Julius Randle, it was worth wondering what the Minnesota Timberwolves had up their sleeve next. Thankfully, Tim Connelly delivered in a big way by trading for LaMelo Ball. To land Ball (and Josh Green), the Wolves gave up Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks.
24 hours ago, nobody would have expected this move. However, Shams Charania reported after the draft that Ball could be on the move and The Stein Line further reported that the Wolves are interested in Ball.
The bigger picture is that the Wolves traded for a co-star alongside Anthony Edwards and Minnesota solved its biggest need: a lead guard.
For the last two years, Randle has been Ant's co-star and it hasn't worked out. Nevertheless, Ball's fit is much cleaner next to Edwards, which could make this duo an ideal pairing.
The LaMelo Ball trade is a worthy gamble for the Timberwolves
LaMelo isn't a perfect player, but it's hard to nitpick this trade. The Wolves desperately needed another shot creator and playmaker alongside Edwards. Without a doubt, LaMelo can be just that. Crucially, he's also comfortable playing off the ball and is a fantastic 3-point shooter.
Ball can take pressure off Ant-Man as a ball-handler while being able to let him go to work as a scorer. By all accounts, the offensive fit between these two stars is ideal.
I was never in the camp that the Wolves need to trade for a star at all costs. Rather, I argued that if a star trade made sense for the Wolves fit-wise, they should pull the trigger and Ball is a star who clearly makes sense. Given Ball's blend of creation, shooting, shot-making and playmaking, he clearly fits the Wolves' offensive needs.
On top of everything else, he's 24, so he's a perfect fit long-term for the Wolves. Frankly, the Wolves couldn't find a better upside swing to fill this need on the trade market.
In terms of the value, I also think it's a solid move. Now, it does sting to lose Naz Reid, who has long been a fan favorite among Wolves fans and he has a strong connection with Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. Let's be honest, though, Ball is a clear notch above Reid.
As for the picks, yes, the Wolves are essentially emptying their treasure chest and giving up a 2033 unprotected pick is risky.
However, pick swaps aren't all that valuable when you are a competitive team and as long as Edwards sticks around, those three swaps won't return much value for Charlotte. The Wolves were amazingly able to keep all of their young pieces intact in this trade. Thus, this trade is solid value for the Wolves, in my eyes.
Again, trading for Ball isn't risk-free for the Wolves. He has a history of injuries, his shot selection is questionable, and he is a subpar defender. Regardless, the benefits he brings to Ant and the Wolves' offense are undeniable. As such, this trade is a worthy gamble for the Timberwolves.
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