The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired star guard LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday in a stunning move that could boost the Timberwolves’ title hopes.
LaVar Ball, the former All-Star’s father, gave Minnesota credit for making the bold trade but urged the Timberwolves to add two more names to the roster that would supposedly guarantee them the championship.
LaVar Ball Shares Championship Blueprint Following LaMelo Ball’s Timberwolves Arrival
LaVar has always been supportive of his sons, particularly after trades. When Lonzo Ball was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, the elder Ball said that “it would be the worst move the Lakers ever did in their life.”
In LaMelo’s case, LaVar refused to blast the Hornets the way he did the Lakers, but praised the Timberwolves for believing in his son. The Big Baller Brand founder then advised Minnesota on its next step to build a championship team.
“Minnesota Timberwolves, y’all did the coldest move in the game! You went and got Melo! But here’s the thing, let me give you the recipe (to win the championship). You’ve got to get the other two Ball boys. … Melo can’t win it by himself, but I tell you.”
“With his brothers, I guarantee y’all a championship. … Whenever them Ball boys (are) together? Can’t lose!” LaVar said in a video.
Lavar Ball praises the Minnesota Timberwolves for trading for his son LaMelo, but URGES them to pick up Lonzo & Gelo as well to GUARANTEE a championship 🤣🔥
“Together you can’t beat em… You can get Lonzo damn near for nothin. You can get Gelo damn near for nothin… Whenever… pic.twitter.com/9NLF8lfgm5
– Slime🐍 (@ItsKingSlime) June 26, 2026
Over the years, LaVar has been urging teams to collect the Ball brothers. After the Lakers drafted Lonzo in 2017, the elder Ball asked the team to wait for his two other sons, LiAngelo and LaMelo. The following year, the middle Ball brother went undrafted while the youngest went to the Hornets via the No. 3 pick in 2020.
While having the Ball siblings in the same team proved complicated before, this offseason might be different because Lonzo and LiAngelo are both unrestricted free agents. Minnesota can make LaVar’s long-cherished dream of seeing his sons play for one NBA team come true.
However, LaVar’s guarantees aren’t gospel. When he said the Lakers would never win the championship, they won the title a few months later. The Timberwolves also have to fill a roster that has gaping holes in different areas, which Lonzo and LiAngelo may not fill.
The Timberwolves shored up their backcourt by acquiring LaMelo and Josh Green from the Hornets. They also reportedly re-signed Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract.
But Minnesota’s thin frontline, after trading Naz Reid and Julius Randle, indicates a different move rather than the one suggested by LaVar. Turning Green or the injured Donte DiVincenzo for frontcourt help might be their next plan.
While the other Western Conference powerhouses are getting bigger, the Timberwolves might not want to go completely the opposite way.
If either Green or DiVincenzo is traded, perhaps an opening for Lonzo might happen. He is still a solid playmaker despite multiple past knee surgeries that have robbed him of his speed and explosiveness. LiAngelo, who has never played in the NBA, is a different story, though, which will likely keep LaVar’s plan to have the Ball brothers on the same team a pipe dream.
LaVar is guaranteeing a championship if the Timberwolves give his “recipe” a taste. It does not seem like Minnesota has the appetite for it.
