Ball-Edwards, Connelly dreams big: “They’re going to be fun to watch”
The future and ambitions of the Timberwolves are in the hands of Edwards and Ball: GM Tim Connelly responds to criticism of the trade
After being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by Wembanyama and the Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves decided it was time to turn the page. The front office’s choice was drastic: sacrifice fan favorite Naz Reid and a rich package of draft picks to bring a gifted but, in some ways, controversial talent like LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
The decision to pair the now-24-year-old former Charlotte star with Anthony Edwards has sparked mixed reactions. On one side, some see their pairing as one of the most explosive and exciting backcourts in the entire NBA – including Ant himself, who is already prepared for some ups and downs; on the other, there are those who question the defensive fit and ball dominance of two such ball-dominant players.
The Wolves’ general manager, Tim Connelly, directly addressed the doubts surrounding Ball’s impact in the locker room. Speaking on The Jon Krawczynski Show, the executive had high praise for the attitude shown by the new addition since his first days in Minneapolis:
The thing that surprised me the most, and that was confirmed to us by all of his former teammates and coaches in Lithuania and Australia, is that this man never has an off day. As soon as he got off the plane, he immediately asked for the names of everyone in the media department, and the next day he remembered them all. That’s not something you take for granted in the NBA
Tim Connelly
The T-Wolves executive continued by downplaying all the concerns surrounding the former Hornet:
Playing 82 games a season can be brutal, but he plays with a pure and contagious joy. We think Anthony Edwards responds at his best when he’s having fun on the court, and being able to bring together two such positive personalities is incredibly exciting for us
Tim Connelly
The Timberwolves’ outlook with LaMelo and Edwards
The fact that the chemistry between the two young stars is already coming along nicely is also evident from their decision to jointly promote the team’s recent summer training trip to France.
From a purely basketball standpoint, Ball’s arrival gives Minnesota a true point guard, coming off a season in which he averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
His playmaking reads and creativity as a passer will allow Anthony Edwards to take on less playmaking responsibility (which has often exposed him to the effectiveness of opposing double teams), allowing him to focus on his natural role as the team’s primary scorer.
On paper, the combination of LaMelo’s carefree enthusiasm and Edwards’ relentless competitiveness could spark the Timberwolves’ fairy tale. The challenge for coach Chris Finch will be finding the right defensive balance, but in Minnesota, the new era has begun with a smile.