LaMelo Ball logs 17 minutes in preseason opener

The partnership between Edwards and LaMelo Ball (10 points, three rebounds, seven assists, one block and one three-pointer) has looked good in the preseason. The Timberwolves clearly prioritized getting a playmaker to share the court with Ant-Man, and Ball fits the mold. There will likely be some growing pains once the results count, but this should be another big year for Edwards. He has a first-round ADP in 12-team leagues, and that’s fair.

After going 1-for-7 from long range in his preseason debut against the Bucks earlier this week, Edwards rebounded to knock down 4-of-5 from three-point range, while also getting to the charity stripe for six free throw attempts as he put on a show with 19 first-half points. One of the most electrifying talents in the entire league, Edwards remains the straw that stirs the drink in Minnesota, even as things are going to look a bit different with sharpshooting playmaker LaMelo Ball taking over at point guard. He’ll be a first-round pick in all fantasy drafts this fall.

Ball has scored in double figures in back-to-back exhibition contests despite limited minutes as Minnesota continues to ramp-up in advance of their season opener. The polarizing 25-year-old playmaker was able to connect with new running mate Anthony Edwards on a couple occasions, including a nifty drive to the basket that resulted in a kickout three-pointer. He’s one of the more unique all-around contributors in the fantasy landscape and there are probably going to be nights where the Timberwolves look unstoppable on the offensive end of the floor. He’s a borderline second-round pick in most fantasy drafts this fall.

Edwards put together another excellent season in 2025-26, averaging a career-high 28.8 points per game while also putting up 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 3.4 three-pointers. However, Finch believes that the Timberwolves may have done their star guard a “disservice” by playing him on the ball so much. With Mike Conley’s limited production and fellow starter Donte DiVincenzo not being a point guard, the circumstances put Minnesota in a position where the ball needed to be in Edwards’ hands more. However, that approach eventually caught up to them, as San Antonio was able to overload its defense in a second-round series that ended in six games. With LaMelo Ball now in the fold, Edwards is going to spend most of his time playing off the ball, which should allow him more opportunities to play downhill.

Clark’s production this past season didn’t differ much from the prior. While scoring, rebounding, and assisting at similar levels, he regressed as a shooter in his second NBA season, posting averages of 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 13.1 minutes per game. The wing and guard rooms remain crowded in Minnesota with the reported acquisition of LaMelo Ball and the re-signing of Ayo Dosunmu. However, Clark’s three-year deal suggests the Timberwolves still value him and want him to remain in the nightly rotation.

Charania reported late Wednesday night that the Hornets were fielding offers for Ball and NBA Insider Marc Stein pinpointed the Timberwolves as one of the interested teams. Now both sides have agreed on a deal that sends Ball along with Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Anthony Edwards was frustrated with how he’s been double-teamed since the team traded Karl Anthony-Towns. Now the Timberwolves have sent a haul to the Hornets to pair Edwards with Ball in the backcourt. Ball stayed healthy playing 72 games last season and is in line for similar fantasy production in Minnesota while the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller could see increased usage with Ball no longer in Charlotte.

While the report says the Hornets have not signaled they’re looking to move on from Ball, that has not kept some teams from taking the initiative to see if they can get something done. According to both Charania and NBA insider Marc Stein, Minnesota and Toronto are the teams in question. Having struggled with injuries in recent years, Ball appeared in 72 games last season and was one of the reasons why the Hornets landed in the Play-In tournament. He averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.8 three-pointers per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 89.9 percent from the foul line. If Ball is moved, it would be a clear sign that Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are the Hornets’ cornerstones.

Windhorst, appearing on the Hoop Collective podcast, wondered aloud about what Edwards might be thinking in the aftermath of Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded to the Heat as well as the Timberwolves trading Julius Randle in a salary dump. Windhorst said Edwards has been frustrated with how he’s double teamed by opponents since Minnesota trade Karl Anthony-Towns two years ago. The Timberwolves have to add more offense this offseason to alleviate some of that burden on Edwards. While no trade is imminent, don’t expect Edwards to have a shortage of suitors if he eventually requests a trade.

Edwards led the Timberwolves in scoring in Friday’s series finale, but efficiency was an issue. The Timberwolves’ star shot 7-of-19 from inside the arc in Game 6 while also enduring some struggles at the foul line. Add in Edwards recording just two assists, and this was a disappointing end to the season. Given the knee issues that he endured late in the season, getting rested and healthy will be the priority for Edwards this offseason. He’s likely to come off the board in the latter stages of the first round in fantasy drafts next fall, be it category or points leagues.

Edwards and the Timberwolves were seemingly knocked back on their heels from the start, as Victor Wembanyama took over during the first quarter. Minnesota did rally on multiple occasions, but the lack of consistent help for Edwards proved costly. Ant-Man clearly isn’t healthy, but he continues to log heavy minutes, playing 40 in Game 5. Given what will be on the line in Game 6 on Friday, with a loss meaning the end of the Timberwolves’ season, Edwards is going to log heavy minutes once again.