Anthony Edwards
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Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves is one of the best players in the NBA today.
The Minnesota Timberwolves made some small moves at the trade deadline, but they didn’t get the All-Star name they hoped for. Reports claimed that Minnesota had the best chances of adding two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo at the deadline, but Milwaukee ultimately decided to keep their superstar. The Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors both reached a point in trade talks where they gave up on the Bucks moving Giannis to pivot to other plans.
NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed that Minnesota tried to open talks for an All-Star point guard once they gave on Antetokounmpo:
“They were also in the mix of trying to get another star – Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball. I was told that [Minnesota] 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 [with] a seven-game winning streak. I was told that Hornets General Manager Jeff Peterson wants to give this core group time to gel.”
Minnesota hoped to improve their point guard weakness by acquiring LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. Haynes confirmed that Charlotte’s recent winning made them decide against making a big trade to lose any of their core pieces.
Timberwolves Wanted LaMelo Ball After Giannis
The entire season has seen rumors of Minnesota being active about trying to improve at the point guard position. Ball is a former All-Star and puts up impressive numbers that could boost the right team needing a point guard to elevate their title hopes.
Giannis clearly would have been the best-case scenario of adding a star to play with Anthony Edwards. However, the Timberwolves still have former All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle on the roster to still give them a chance. Adding Ball to that mix and not losing any of the bigger names would have improved the talent level drastically.
Charlotte decided against any deals now to make Minnesota go into the playoffs with the same questions surrounding the point guard position. The Timberwolves have to rely on the current core continuing their winning ways in the postseason and for the new role players to make an impact in the biggest games.
Timberwolves Could Get LaMelo In Future
The Hornets deserve some credit for wanting to give the current winning ways a chance to see if this core can truly be good for future seasons. Charlotte had such a poor start to the season with various injuries that even the recent winning streak sees them eleventh in the East trying to make the play-in seeds.
The current team looks good, but the luck fizzling out to see more losing could require change for the Hornets. Ball is the name most likely to move of their current “big three” since Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are younger players on cheaper deals.
Minnesota showing interest means they could be among the favorites to land LaMelo if Charlotte decides to cut bait on him and move him after this season. The point guard position will be a topic of need for the Timberwolves until someone thrives in the starting role.