Brandon Miller opened up about LaMelo Ball's offseason trade to the Timberwolves, calling Ball his "actual brother." Miller also admitted that Ball's trade was "definitely a tough moment".
Charlotte Hornets star forward Brandon Miller opened up about the LaMelo Ball trade, admitting it wasn't easy.
"Definitely a tough moment, but we also have to realize the business side of the NBA," Miller told SiriusXM NBA Radio. "I think I always preach, I always be a brother away from home to LaMelo, Miles, Mark, even the previous guys, PJ. It keeps going."
Brandon Miller on LaMelo: 'He's my actual brother'
Despite the trade, Miller says he will always be available for LaMelo, as their bond is beyond being former teammates.
"I've always been a little brother away from home to them, always one phone call away. So just having that bond where you can – it's not just always, 'Oh, we have to talk because we're on the same team.' He's my actual brother," Miller noted. "You know, I believe in him and believe in what he does every day. And I support his career."
Timberwolves coach happy with LaMelo's arrival
The Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch expressed his joy about the positive impact and presence LaMelo Ball has brought to the team.
Speaking to the media before the Wolves' Monday preseason road game against the New York Knicks, Finch emphasized what Ball has meant to the Timberwolves since his offseason trade.
"He's always in a great mood," Finch said of adding Ball. "Always comes in smiling. He and Anthony [Edwards] have a shared quality: they're really hard to stay mad at. And they do some things that you want to get mad at. And they have a reflective joy.
"We referred to ourselves as a moody team in the last couple of years at times, and it's probably gotten in our way. We've traded moodiness for giddiness," Finch added.
LaMelo Ball trade to Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets in a blockbuster four-team trade in July in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three future first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks.
The Wolves strongly pursued Ball and identified him as the best possible co-star of Anthony Edwards moving forward in Minnesota.
As such, Ball has been loved and praised since his arrival on the team. From playing with joy, frequently flashing his smile, celebrating big plays with animated gestures, and hyping up his teammates, the star guard has been warmly embraced by fans as well.