The Minnesota Timberwolves filled their need for a co-star alongside Anthony Edwards by trading for LaMelo Ball. Sure, the move was controversial, but the Timberwolves didn't have a better option, and he's an ideal fit next to Ant-Man given his blend of playmaking and perimeter scoring.
Since Ball has been traded, only Ja Morant, Kawhi Leonard, and Jaylen Brown are recent All-Stars who have been traded. Morant has too many risks. Kawhi didn't want to go to Minnesota, and that trade is being held up. Brown doesn't fit the Wolves' need for a playmaker. The point is that if the Timberwolves never traded for LaMelo, they would have been waiting on a star to possibly become available. For a team with championship aspirations, that would be anything but ideal.
One of the names Minnesota was heavily linked to was Kyrie Irving. This made sense, as he's a gifted three-level scorer who can thrive on or off the ball. However, the Dallas Mavericks have been adamant that Kyrie isn't available. As reported by Marc Stein (subscription required), teams keep waiting for this stance to change, though.
"The Mavericks, have consistently swatted away trade interest this offseason in nine-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. Rival teams, however, continue to wonder aloud about how firmly Dallas will stick to that stance once the season begins and the next in-season trade deadline on Feb. 11 gradually approaches," Stein wrote.
Even if you have doubts about the LaMelo trade, isn't it better to bank on him flourishing as a No. 2 option after a strong season than hoping and praying Kyrie or another star becomes available? Seriously, what's the counterargument? Maybe you fill this void at the deadline?
The reality is that stars aren't often available, and the Mavs have been firm about keeping Kyrie. As such, the Timberwolves couldn't turn down the chance to land Ball. It's also worth noting that LaMelo gives the Timberwolves a higher-end playmaker and is nine years younger than Kyrie.
Other teams are banking on the not-so-strong chance that Kyrie will become available
When looking around the league, several teams could sorely use another creator. The Detroit Pistons have long been linked to Irving. Given their need for a second creator and general shooting alongside Cade Cunningham, this makes a lot of sense.
Alas, though, by banking on the uncertainty of a star like Kyrie becoming available, the Pistons enter the season with a glaring flaw. For what it's worth, the Pistons could have totally outbid Minnesota's offer for Ball.
The Toronto Raptors shouldn't be as desperate for a star move, with the Kawhi trade likely going through at some point. Still, they've been floated as a landing spot for Kyrie and clearly need a true high-end point guard (sorry, Immanuel Quickley). This flaw could get in the way of the Raptors' title hopes, and ironically, they were one of the other top suitors for LaMelo.
I'm sure other teams are desperately waiting for Kyrie to become available (the Houston Rockets come to mind). Had they not traded for LaMelo, it's almost certain they would be playing the Kyrie waiting game, and ultimately enter the season with a sizable roster flaw.
The Timberwolves needed a co-star alongside Anthony Edwards
For most of Edwards' career, the Timberwolves' lack of a high-end point guard and natural facilitator was a massive problem.
Things officially reached a breaking point in the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs. While Edwards was injured, it was clear that the Wolves were asking too much of him as both a scorer and creator. Furthermore, this marked the second straight year that Julius Randle underwhelmed on the biggest stage. Thus, it was clear that the Wolves need to find a more reliable second option.
Randle felt as good as gone after the playoffs. But if LaMelo wasn't available, they may have simply salary-dumped Randle and signed a free agent like Collin Sexton as a stopgap solution to their need for extra perimeter play.
Even if the Wolves went down a slightly different road, there's a substantial chance they would've entered the year with a familiar roster flaw, and they'd be counting on Kyrie or someone else to become available. And if the Mavericks remain hellbent on keeping Kyrie, the Timberwolves would have thrown away a chance to win a title.
Like every trade, the LaMelo trade has some risks. Still, he's one of the most talented offensive players in the league, who fits perfectly alongside Ant on paper, and at 25 could be a long-term co-star. Gambling on LaMelo's talent and fit is a better proposition than banking on another star (like Kyrie) magically becoming available.
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