Out of seemingly thin air, the Tim Connelly way, the Minnesota Timberwolves have finally acquired their co-star for Anthony Edwards. LaMelo Ball is coming to Minnesota for a package of Naz Reid, their 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks. After what was originally appearing to be a quiet offseason for the Wolves, Connelly quickly put a stop to that.
Wolves fans were undeniably frustrated after needing to trade down in the draft in order to salary-dump Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, and many wondered if they would be taking a "gap year."
However, Connelly just showed that they are doing anything but. The Randle trade now looks like a genius move, considering the Wolves were able to not only get Ball but an elite talent in Isaiah Evans in the second-round.
The Wolves are going all-in on this core
Not only did the Wolves get themselves a franchise point guard, but they got one who's only 24 years old, the same age as Ant. Ball now joins the 26-and-under core that includes Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr., Joan Beringer, and newly acquired rookie Isaiah Evans.
The Wolves are banking on this core bringing Minnesota their first championship, as they basically traded every last tradable draft pick to the Hornets in this deal to acquire Ball. This is the move that puts all of the chips in the middle of the table, and on paper, it's an absolute home run.
There is no better point guard for this team than LaMelo Ball
I can't stress enough how elite Ball will be for everyone on this roster. Teams can no longer double-team Ant, as Ball is one of the deadliest shooters in the NBA, capable of hitting 3s from ridiculous range.
Rudy Gobert now has one of the best playmakers in basketball spoon-feeding him the ball, which should make his job on offense a million times easier. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Gobert has a career year scoring the basketball.
Ball is in the Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic tier for seeing passes and reads before they happen. He's hands down the most talented playmaker Edwards has ever played with, and he will take so much pressure off of Ant in that department. Ant can now do what he does best, and just put the ball in the basket with the best of them.
This is an absolute home run swing from Tim Connelly, but I would bet it pays off.
Everybody's going to miss Naz Reid. He was beloved here, and he always will be, but this is a chance you can't pass up, and Connelly just gave the Wolves the best shooting backcourt in the NBA since Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Yeah, I said it.
