Not a few eyebrows were raised when it was revealed on Wednesday that the Charlotte Hornets are engaged in trade talks regarding LaMelo Ball. It was a bombshell development that could heavily impact the offseason.
ESPN’s Shams Charania said multiple teams are aggressively pursuing Ball, who led the Hornets to their best record in 10 years this season. He was the engine that made the team run, literally and figuratively, as Charlotte found success with a speedy offense.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, initial suitors for the 24-year-old guard are the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves have already made a big move, dealing Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls. Thus, going after Ball could be part of the agenda as well.
“Minnesota’s interest, sources tell The Stein Line, is undeniably serious,” wrote Fischer.
This season, Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 72 games, the second-most of his injury-riddled career.
The Timberwolves are in dire need of a playmaker, with Mike Conley Jr. the only true point guard on the roster.
“Various league sources immediately cautioned that the Timberwolves were unlikely to stop there (Randle trade), given their lead executive Tim Connelly’s penchant for deal-making and Minnesota’s well-chronicled urgency to add some playmaking verve to Anthony Edwards’ supporting cast,” added Fischer.
A tandem of Ball and Edwards, who were one and two in the race for Rookie of the Year in 2021, would be lethal. Plus, the entertainment value—on and off the court—would be hard to ignore.
The Timberwolves could offer Rudy Gobert and draft assets for Ball.
The post NBA rumors: Timberwolves’ LaMelo Ball trade interest ‘undeniably serious’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.
