The Minnesota Timberwolves introduced LaMelo Ball and Josh Green as the newest members of the team on Tuesday morning. But while there is excitement around what Ball and Green could add to a team with championship aspirations, it is the undercard to the Wolves’ courtship of LeBron James.
James has the NBA world at a standstill as many try to speculate where he could end up. But speaking in front of reporters for the first time since James decided to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and find a new team, Connelly made his pitch for the NBA legend – or any other free agent – to come to Minnesota, and his pitch centered around the franchise as well as the current core they believe can help him win another championship.
“Obviously he's an unbelievable player, whatever decision he's making, is gonna be the right one. There's a lot going on when you're as great as he is, you should have optionality. I think when you look at our team, it's hard not to be excited about what we have. We have the best coach, we have amazing fans. …The last couple of years, our success has been as good as anybody outside of the guys that have won it all. And I think, not just speaking to LeBron, any free agent, this is a place we're gonna have a lot of fun, we're gonna win a lot of games, and, um, you know, we're trying to change the narrative of how this organization is viewed."
"We're kind of proud of who we are, and certainly, wherever LeBron ends up is gonna make that place much, much, much better, but it's hard not to look at LaMelo, and [Jaden McDaniels], and [Rudy Gobert,] and [Anthony Edwards], and [Josh Green], and we saw what [Terrance Shannon Jr.] did in the postseason. We think Beringer has a chance [to be] a really special player. We're extremely excited to get [Ayo Dosunmu] back. That was a pretty competitive market. He has options all over the league. …I like who we are, and certainly, we're pretty proud of who we are, so hopefully that's appealing, not just to LeBron, but any free agent.”
The Timberwolves believe they have what LeBron James wants
As Connelly mentioned, landing James would be a monumental moment for the Timberwolves as a franchise. Once the laughing stock of the NBA, the Wolves have become a team that reached the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons before falling in the Western Conference semifinals last season.
But if James is looking for a good story, his final list of suitors is full of them. The Cleveland Cavaliers would represent a homecoming for a team located roughly an hour away from his hometown of Akron. A return to the Miami Heat would pair James with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Golden State Warriors would construct an aging super team in the Western Conference, and the Philadelphia 76ers would be another team loaded with star power in a winnable Eastern Conference.
The difference the Wolves have is a natural fit. Connelly mentioned the presence of Anthony Edwards and Ball, who will form one of the NBA’s most intriguing backcourts next season.
They also have Jaden McDaniels, who Chris Finch told the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Christopher Hine could play some power forward minutes to begin the season but was unlikely to start. Rudy Gobert at center could also provide a defensive presence in the middle. and James could start at power forward and give the Wolves some veteran leadership.
To Wolves fans, this scenario may be too good to be true. But it’s one that continues to grow legs as James mulls his options.
If anything, Connelly’s comments are his final selling points to James before he signs on the dotted line and he gave him a lot to think about when considering the potential of coming to Minnesota.
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