Why Adding LaMelo Ball Gives Timberwolves Dark Horse Edge

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals twice in the past three seasons, but both runs ended before the NBA Finals. But after being eliminated in the semifinals this past season, the Timberwolves decided to make drastic roster moves to have a chance to compete for a title. Their biggest move was adding LaMelo Ball, a proven passer who can share control of the offense with Anthony Edwards.

Edwards remains Minnesota’s leading scorer, while Rudy Gobert provides screening, rebounding and finishing near the basket. Ball’s arrival gives the Timberwolves a player who thrives connecting the offense.

During the NBA on NBC, Tracy McGrady picked Minnesota as a dark-horse team in the Western Conference. He focused on how Ball’s passing could change the jobs of Edwards and Gobert.

“What he’s going to unlock for that team offensively is not having that pressure on Ant Man to score when it’s late in the games,” McGrady said. “The pace is going to be up and down. I think he’s going to unlock Rudy Gobert with some lob threats.”

The idea is clear. Minnesota no longer needs every important possession to begin and end with Edwards creating his own shot.

Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards (5) makes a shot during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

McGrady’s point does not mean Minnesota had a poor closer. Edwards was one of the NBA’s best late-game scorers during the 2025-26 season.

He averaged 5.6 points in clutch situations while shooting 56.5 percent from the field. He also finished third in the voting for the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year award.

Ball’s value comes from giving defenses another problem. Opponents cannot focus solely on Edwards if another guard can enter the paint, find an open teammate, or create his own shot.

That can also help Edwards work without the ball. Starting a possession away from the main defender could give him cleaner chances rather than asking him to break down a set defense every time.

Gobert shot 68.2 percent from the field and recorded 131 dunks last season. His offense came mainly from shots near the basket rather than from plays designed for him to create.

Ball averaged 7.1 assists with the Charlotte Hornets, giving Minnesota a passer who looks for teammates while moving at speed.

The possible fit with Gobert is based on timing. When Ball turns the corner after a screen, the defending center must decide whether to stop the drive or stay close to Gobert. Either choice can create an opening.

The idea still needs proof. Public NBA tracking does not provide a past Ball-Gobert sample because they were not teammates last season. A useful partnership will depend on accurate passes, strong screens and both players reading the defense the same way.

McGrady also expects Ball to push Minnesota’s pace. The Timberwolves ranked ninth in pace last season at 100.5 possessions per 48 minutes.

The Hornets ranked 26th in possessions per game at 96.8, even with Ball on the roster.

Those numbers show that Ball is joining a faster team rather than creating pace from nothing. His job will be to make better use of Minnesota’s pace by passing ahead, starting the offense early and finding scoring chances before the defense is ready.

Playing faster only helps if the team remains under control. Quick possessions that end with rushed shots or turnovers would remove much of the value McGrady described.

Ball has not appeared in an NBA playoff game during his career. Minnesota, meanwhile, reached the Western Conference Finals in both 2024 and 2025.

That difference supports the other part of McGrady’s view. Ball is moving from a team outside the playoff field to one that expects to compete deep into the season.

Calling the Timberwolves a dark horse may understate their recent results. The real doubt comes from how a changed roster will work when games slow down, and opponents target weak points over a full playoff series.

Ball does not need to replace Edwards as Minnesota’s late-game scorer or turn Gobert into a different player. His main task is to give both teammates easier ways to use their strengths. The Timberwolves already have playoff experience and a clear leading scorer. What they lacked was another passer who could change a possession before Edwards had to create a difficult shot.

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect