Anthony Edwards-LaMelo Ball fit is Minnesota’s early-season test
Minnesota added LaMelo Ball in a deal centered on Naz Reid, putting his new partnership with Anthony Edwards under an immediate spotlight.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The Anthony Edwards LaMelo Ball fit is the central question hanging over Minnesota’s rebuilt roster after the Timberwolves acquired Ball and Josh Green from Charlotte in a trade that sent Naz Reid and draft picks to the Hornets, ESPN reported.
Ball joins Edwards after an offseason that also saw Minnesota list Julius Randle and Reid among its key departures. Ball, Green and rookie Isaiah Evans were identified as the principal additions in ESPN’s team preview.
How will Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball fit together?
The short answer: the potential is clear, while the on-court evidence is still to come. The trade puts a high-profile new backcourt at the heart of Minnesota’s 2026-27 season, and their first scheduled regular-season appearance together is Oct. 21 against the Miami Heat, according to The Athletic.
The primary offensive question is how often Ball’s passing can shift creation duties for Edwards while the pair share the floor. Dean Oliver, writing in an Aug. 19 analytical note linked to ESPN’s preview, said Ball’s passing numbers could help balance Edwards’ weaker passing numbers. Oliver also flagged a potential complication: both guards are expected to take plenty of off-dribble 3-pointers.
That makes the opening weeks a test of balance rather than a verdict on the trade. Watch the way possessions are divided between Edwards and Ball, the types of shots each produces, and whether the two-guard arrangement settles quickly as Minnesota works new faces into the rotation.
Ball’s NBA player page lists him as a Timberwolves guard and shows headline averages of 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. The page does not clearly identify the season attached to those averages in the available listing.
What changed for the Timberwolves this offseason?
The biggest move was the Ball trade. Reid’s exit removed a key Minnesota forward/center, while Randle was also listed among the team’s notable subtractions by ESPN. Green and Evans arrived alongside Ball, creating a roster with significant turnover around Edwards.
Edwards has publicly acknowledged the adjustment ahead. In an Aug. 18 Locked On Wolves podcast transcript, he was quoted as saying Minnesota was taking things “step by step” with Ball and other new pieces, and was trying to build chemistry.
There has already been an effort to get the group together. Yahoo Sports, citing a For The Win report, said Edwards organized a Timberwolves trip to France that included workouts and sightseeing before training camp.
Edwards also expressed confidence about Minnesota’s prospects against Oklahoma City and San Antonio in comments to ESPN reported by Yahoo. Those are Edwards’ views, not a forecast of where Minnesota will finish. The first concrete checkpoint for the new pairing arrives in Miami on Oct. 21, followed by the less glamorous work of turning an offseason overhaul into a functioning team.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.