The Minnesota Timberwolves officially traded for LaMelo Ball this week, and his arrival from the Charlotte Hornets doesn’t come without some risk. An electric player when on the court, Ball could unlock a new level for the Timberwolves’ offense. But his injury history and his spontaneous playing style are things that could make him a disappointment.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has heard the noise and also knows there are some variables that come with Ball’s game. But as he integrates his new point guard into the offense, he told the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Christopher Hine that he’ll have to rein in his shot selection.
“We do see him a little differently,” Finch said. “We see what people see in those critiques. There’s no doubt we’re going to clean up the shot selection a little bit. There’s no doubt that in the West where we are, every minute of basketball is going to be meaningful, and I think he’s looking forward to that.”
LaMelo Ball has to become more of a facilitator with Timberwolves
Ball is an exciting addition to the Timberwolves as a former All-Star who has averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game during his six-year career. Ball’s highlight reel is also filled with mind-blowing passes and shots that made Hornets play-by-play voice Eric Collins reach another octave during broadcasts. But there are also many critiques that come with his game.
The first is that Ball’s shot selection has been a hindrance to his game. While shooting fadeaways and one-legged jumpers is great for the highlight reel, it also could come at the cost of the offense, leaving Ball with a career shooting percentage of 41.8 percent. Those shots have also made him less effective in tight ball games, and his lack of commitment on the defensive end of the court and his flashy game have raised questions about his maturity.
Mix in a lengthy history of ankle injuries, and some consider Ball as a player who doesn’t drive winning. But the Timberwolves also believe they could unlock a more controlled aspect of his game, setting up Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and the rest of the offense.
There are also plenty of reasons why Ball could change his game for the better. Ball’s supporting cast is better than anything he had during his time in Charlotte, and sharing the wealth is much easier when you have superior teammates on the court.
Finch also brought up that, with the exception of last year’s Hornets team that finished just short of the playoffs, this will be Ball’s first time on a team with championship aspirations.
Getting playing time and fitting in has some added motivation when every possession matters, and it could encourage Ball to have an extra layer of focus as he looks to help the Wolves take the next step in the pursuit of a championship.
The pot could also be sweetened if the Wolves land LeBron James. But even if they don't, Ball and the Wolves have plenty of options that could help drive the type of winning he rarely saw in Charlotte.
Perhaps this vision is why the Wolves had targeted Ball long before the trade became official, and have big expectations, as he joins the team. But Finch will have to continue to hit the right buttons for Ball to clean up his game and help him become Minnesota’s missing piece.
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