LaMelo Ball is officially a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves, meaning his No. 1 fan, LaVar Ball, has a new favorite team.
On Sunday, LaMelo appeared on the first episode of “The LaVar Ball Show” to discuss the blockbuster trade with his father and the possibility of reuniting with his brother, Lonzo Ball, on the biggest stage.
LaMelo Ball Reacts to Timberwolves Trade
When asked to share his thoughts on being “shipped” to the Timberwolves, LaMelo simply responded, “It’s a dream, man. It’s a dream.”
Moments later, LaVar went as far as to propose the idea of his brothers joining him in Minnesota, to which the All-Star guard replied, “Then it’d be reality.”
LaVar closed the segment by asking, “Between you and Lonzo, who would play the one?” LaMelo deferred, saying, “Probably him, for real,” before Lonzo, a veteran NBA free agent, added that “it would be just like high school [at Chino Hills].”
LaMelo on being traded to the Timberwolves: pic.twitter.com/AcbPAFtV7g
— MeloHive 🛸💕 (@Meloleague) July 6, 2026
In the 2025-26 campaign, LaMelo enjoyed one of the healthiest seasons of his six-year career. Across 72 contests, the oft-injured floor general played 28.0 minutes per game, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists, while shooting 40.7% from the field, 36.8% from downtown, and 89.9% from the free-throw line.
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LaMelo helped lead the Charlotte Hornets to their best record since the 2015-16 campaign, winning 44 games to finish ninth in the Eastern Conference and securing a play-in victory over the Miami Heat, capped by his game-winning basket.
Unfortunately for the Hornets, they failed to secure a critical second consecutive play-in win, missing out on the NBA playoffs. Still, LaMelo was spectacular down the stretch of the season, significantly boosting his trade stock and likely prompting Charlotte to move him at his peak value.
ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania first reported the trade in late June, writing, “LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033).”
Compared to Charlotte, Minnesota is a much more stable situation for the 24-year-old playmaker. The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals in two of the last three postseasons and have the pieces in place to seemingly compete for years to come.
Superstar shooting guard Anthony Edwards leads the charge, while four-time Defensive Player of the Year center Rudy Gobert, All-Defensive forward Jaden McDaniels, and high-impact two-way guard Ayo Dosunmu all complement each other extremely well.
LaMelo, a more-than-willing passer and an uber-talented scorer, should have no issue fitting into this Timberwolves squad. Time will tell whether Minnesota can seriously contend in the grueling West, but if you ask LaVar, he will almost certainly say LaMelo and Co. are going all the way.
