Shortly after the conclusion of the NBA Draft, Shams Charania reported that the Charlotte Hornets are engaged in LaMelo Ball trade talks with multiple teams pursuing him. Shams noted that Ball wants to stay in Charlotte, but the team is fielding some aggressive offers. He also added some surprising urgency, saying that Ball could be on the move as soon as the next 24 to 48 hours.
Subsequently, The Stein Line reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors are two teams that are interested in Ball.
Frankly, this might be the Wolves' best chance to land a high-end point guard and it's a great sign that they're in the mix for LaMelo. Minnesota's lack of draft capital might put it at a disadvantage, especially when juxtaposed with the Raptors, who have more future assets.
Regardless, given their need for a point guard paired with LaMelo's fit alongside Anthony Edwards, it's logical for the Wolves to be in on Ball.
The Timberwolves have a real shot at trading for LaMelo Ball
Trading for Ball also might not be a total pipedream for the Wolves, especially since it's them and the Raptors as the known suitors at this moment.
There's a strong chance Rudy Gobert is the best individual player the Hornets could get back for Ball. And given that Gobert would fill a position of need for Charlotte, there could be some real traction for a trade. Now, I understand that the Wolves reportedly aren't keen on trading Gobert. Still, for a player like Ball, you'd have to expect that stance to soften up a bit.
While the Wolves only have one tradeable first-round pick to offer along with Gobert, they could sweeten the deal with Terrence Shannon Jr. or the recently drafted Isaiah Evans.
Point being: Minnesota has a legitimate pathway to landing Ball.
Nobody would argue that LaMelo is a perfect player -- between subpar defense, decision-making and injuries, he has some concerns. However, his blend of difficult shot-making, general shot-creation, outside shooting and playmaking would allow him to seamlessly fit alongside Edwards. Plus, he's a perfect long-term fit at 24 years old.
The bigger picture is that there's no better upside swing who could be available than LaMelo and given the Wolves' need for a lead guard, it makes all the sense in the world for them to be interested in Ball.
I've been on the fence about a star move throughout the offseason, noting the value of fit. In the case of Ball, though, I think he's a clear fit and someone the Wolves should absolutely pursue.
At the end of the day, Ball could very well be the Wolves' best chance to give Ant a high-quality co-star who complements his game. That's not something the Timberwolves should take lightly and it sounds like they aren't.
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