Lack of other ideal trade options vindicates Timberwolves' LaMelo Ball move

After the playoffs, it became undeniable that the Minnesota Timberwolves needed a playmaker and shot creator alongside Anthony Edwards. Minnesota losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the second-round marked the second year in a row that this flaw was loudly exposed against one of the top two teams in the West. They addressed this void by trading for LaMelo Ball. And while trading for Ball was a controversial way to fill this need, looking at the other options, this was clearly the right move for Minnesota. 

Here's a complete list of every former All-Star player who was traded this summer.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Tyler Herro
• Kawhi Leonard (investigation pending) 
• Brandon Ingram (investigation pending) 
• LaMelo Ball
• Ja Morant 
• Jaylen Brown 
• Paul George 
• Julius Randle (traded from the Timberwolves)

At the surface level, this actually seems like a good number of options. However, Giannis wouldn't have solved the Wolves' main issue. Plus, as evidenced by what the Miami Heat gave up, it would have taken a haul to get him. Herro was part of the Giannis trade, so we can cross him off. The Kawhi trade getting put on hold vindicates the Wolves' decision, along with the fact that he didn't want to play in Minnesota.

Brown went for a palatable price, but the Timberwolves needed playmaking, and that's not his strength. An over-the-hill George on a bad contract is someone Minnesota would never consider trading for. Morant was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for a low price, but there are too many risks attached to him, and his poor shooting would make him a questionable fit next to Ant.

In terms of finding a talented player who fits the Wolves' need for point guard play and secondary creation alongside Edwards, Ball was by far the best option.

LaMelo Ball is a perfect fit alongside Anthony Edwards

I fully understand why LaMelo isn't everyone's cup of tea, and having concerns about his durability is more than fair. Regardless, the Wolves weren't winning a championship without adding a player who could create for himself and others. Ball was clearly the best possible option. 

Furthermore, LaMelo is the ideal backcourt mate for Ant stylistically. The most important factor is that LaMelo is a world-class playmaker, which covers up for Edwards' primary weakness. Ball's elite perimeter scoring also gives Edwards an element he's never had in the backcourt. His ability to create for himself and spot up is vital alongside Ant. 

It's hard to find players with this blend of playmaking and perimeter scoring in the league. In fact, Ball ranked in the 99th percentile for offensive estimated plus-minus. 

Given the Wolves' need for a playmaker and second option, this wasn't something the Timberwolves could pass up. All things considered, the price of Naz Reid, one unprotected pick, and three pick swaps isn't bad at all. 

What would the Timberwolves' other move have been?

The Wolves presumably salary-dumped Randle with the LaMelo trade in mind. Still, it's worth wondering what the Timberwolves' pivot move would have been had the Ball trade fallen through. 

Morant or Brown feels like the most probable star-move, but as outlined earlier, both would have had clear risks.

Earlier in the offseason, I viewed Dejounte Murray and Jalen Suggs as PG options for the Wolves. Nevertheless, it appears that the New Orleans Pelicans' phone lines aren't working and the Orlando Magic seem content in running it back. Minnesota was also linked to Derrick White and Josh Giddey, but neither team seems open to moving those players, with the Brown trade squashing any chance of White being moved. 

Signing Anfernee Simons or Collin Sexton in free agency would have been a realistic option to address the Wolves' PG void, but neither player offers the playmaking that Minnesota needs. 

The reality is that the Wolves needed a co-star who fit cleanly alongside Edwards to maximize their title chances, and that most teams aren't eager to trade star players. Look at the other possible options the Wolves had and tell me what move they should have made instead of trading for LaMelo, because running it back certainly wasn't the right call. 

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