The Timberwolves will likely be linked to any point guard who becomes rumored to be available. The latest is LaMelo Ball, who Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reported is unhappy with the direction of the Hornets. While Ball attempted to refute the report with a clown emoji, many have speculated that at some point, he’d want to leave.
— Melo (@MELOD1P) November 20, 2025
Yes, he would become the most talented point guard on the team if Minnesota were to acquire him. Despite that, it’s in their best interest to not even entertain doing so.
Ball has been injured frequently
Ball was selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. That’s the same year that Anthony Edwards went first overall to Minnesota. Both are 24 years old and in their sixth season.
Thus far, Edwards has appeared in 392 career regular season games. Ball is currently at just 240. That’s nearly two full seasons worth of games more than Edwards has played. Yes, Ant-Man has been one of the more durable superstars in the league, but that number is still crazy to see.
Over the last three full seasons, the 6-foot-7 guard has appeared in just 105 of a possible 264 contests for Charlotte. This season, Ball has already missed six outings due to a bum ankle. Ankle ailments have often been the reason why Ball has been out of action throughout his career. It’s not just one of the two either, as both have proven to be problematic.
It would be hard for Chris Finch to find consistent rotations if Ball is constantly in and out of the lineup. While the Timberwolves have seen players miss games this year, including Edwards missing four, the injury bug hasn’t hit them to the extent it has for many other teams.
Usage rate would have to go down a considerable amount
The Timberwolves already roster Edwards and Julius Randle who need the ball in their hands often. Edwards' 32.3 usage rate is a career-high, and Randle posts a 28.3 usage rate.
Coming in even higher is Ball at 32.5%. Last season, it was at a whopping 35.9%. On a Charlotte team that hasn’t reached the playoffs since he was drafted, Ball has been granted the ability to throw up an insane amount of shots.
His game would have to completely change, joining a team like the Timberwolves, or any winning team for that matter. How would Ball fare in that role? How would it affect Randle, who is playing some of the best offensive basketball of his career?
There’s nothing wrong with thinking the Timberwolves should look to add a point guard before the trade deadline. It just shouldn’t be one as injury-prone and ball-dominant as LaMelo.