The Minnesota Timberwolves quietly explored acquiring star guard LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
However, according to league insider Chris Haynes, Charlotte’s midseason turnaround prevented any serious trade discussions.
Hornets’ Surge Makes LaMelo Ball Unattainable for Timberwolves
The Timberwolves had their eyes on more than Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline. After the Milwaukee Bucks refused to move the two-time MVP, Minnesota “checked in” with Charlotte about Ball’s availability, but the Hornets weren’t interested, per Haynes.
“They were also in the mix, or trying to get in the mix, with another star, Charlotte Hornets star point guard LaMelo Ball,” Haynes reported Thursday.
“I was told that they checked in with Charlotte, and was trying to figure out a way to see if anything could materialize, but the Charlotte Hornets have been playing tremendous ball as of late, a seven-game winning streak, and I was told that the general manager with the Hornets, Jeff Peterson, he wants to give this core group time to gel and figure things out.”
The Timberwolves “checked in” on LaMelo Ball at the NBA trade deadline, per insider Chris Haynes. pic.twitter.com/BGHQzJhNjJ
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The Timberwolves’ pivot to Ball made sense on paper. They traded Mike Conley to the Chicago Bulls in a salary cap-clearing move on Wednesday, creating both roster flexibility and a need for another point guard, with Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant also floated as a possibility. Ball would have filled that hole and then some, giving superstar wing Anthony Edwards a playmaking partner from his 2020 draft class.
However, as Haynes noted, Charlotte’s recent success heavily influenced the conversation. The Hornets (24-28) entered the deadline riding a seven-game winning streak, their longest in a decade. Meanwhile, Ball, whose five-year, $203,852,600 contract extension runs through the 2028-29 season, has been among those leading the charge alongside young standouts Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller.
Charlotte’s front office was not inclined to break up an ascending core that has now gone 13-5 since Jan. 3, and Ball’s recent play likely reinforced that decision.
He posted 24 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in Charlotte’s 102-95 comeback home win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, helping the Hornets overcome a 22-point deficit in their seventh consecutive victory.
Still, Minnesota’s interest signals continued urgency to build around Edwards. The franchise has reached back-to-back Western Conference finals, and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly spent the deadline chasing upgrades to put it over the top.
Recapping Timberwolves’ Deadline Day Activity
Minnesota capped off Thursday’s deadline by acquiring two-way guard Ayo Dosunmu from Chicago in a separate deal that sent reserves Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round draft picks to the Bulls.
Dosunmu offers defense and scoring ability. However, he doesn’t profile as the high-level facilitator the Timberwolves envisioned next to Edwards. Their roster now features Dosunmu, Donte DiVincenzo, and Bones Hyland in the backcourt alongside the four-time All-Star.
An Edwards-Ball pairing would have created one of the league’s most dynamic young backcourts that could have formed Minnesota’s offensive foundation for the next decade.
Instead, the Timberwolves (32-20) will approach their playoff push with lingering questions about ball-handling and creation compared to fellow West contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.