The Minnesota Timberwolves became contenders in the LeBron James sweepstakes after acquiring LaMelo Ball last month. Besides providing the Timberwolves with a much-needed answer at point guard, Ball has also been doing work behind the scenes for his new team.
Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczynski reported on Wednesday that the former Charlotte Hornets star has been recruiting the four-time MVP to take his talents to Minnesota, sparking strong reactions from the NBA world.
​LeBron James to Minnesota? LaMelo Ball’s Recruitment Attempt Goes Viral
Speaking on “The Jon Krawczynski Show” Wednesday, ​Krawczynski said that Anthony Edwards and Ball have been doing heavy lifting in helping the Timberwolves improve. The insider shared that the two are planning a team trip to work out with Rudy Gobert in his native France, which should boost the chemistry between the new point guard and the resident starting center.
Krawczynski added that the Edwards-Ball duo has also been trying to lure James to the Timberwolves. His statement that Ball “had a conversation” with the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar elicited a mix of intrigue and mockery from NBA observers.
“Someone please leak that conversation,” an NBA supporter wrote.
Someone please leak that conversation. 😠https://t.co/Lr4xv0kNsJ
— Kenlovehoops (@Kenlovehoops) July 23, 2026
“LaMelo recruiting LeBron? NBA offseason is pure cinema,” an X user added.
LaMelo recruiting LeBron? NBA offseason is pure cinema.
— RichyMannia👑🇳🇬🇨🇦🇺🇸💯 (@Richieman989) July 23, 2026
“If LeBron cares most about winning another ring, he should choose the Timberwolves. That roster is missing a player like him. Upgrading from Mike Conley to LaMelo Ball and Julius Randle to LeBron James would be insane,” NBA insider Kevin O’Connor tweeted.
If LeBron cares most about winning another ring, he should choose the Timberwolves. That roster is missing a player like him. Upgrading from Mike Conley to LaMelo Ball and Julius Randle to LeBron James would be insane. https://t.co/C1C0NbpDd4
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) July 23, 2026
“Look at the fit on the court, gang. Ant Edwards already that alpha scorer. LaMelo got vision for days. Bron don’t gotta carry 35 mins every night no more. He facilitates, locks in on D when it counts, drops knowledge in the locker room. Imagine the pick-and-rolls, the fast breaks, the defensive schemes with Gobert back there? That’s a problem for the whole conference. Brutal (expletive) for everybody else,” another user weighed in.
4/ Look at the fit on the court, gang. Ant Edwards already that alpha scorer. LaMelo got vision for days. Bron don’t gotta carry 35 mins every night no more — he facilitates, locks in on D when it counts, drops knowledge in the locker room. Imagine the pick-and-rolls, the fast…
— LiTHoUsE (@ReVLiTHoUSe) July 22, 2026
“LeBron would murder LaMelo after 3 weeks in Minnesota,” podcaster Nick Wilson joked.
LeBron would murder Lamelo after 3 weeks in Minnesota https://t.co/AflLmxQGkt
— Nick Wilson (@NickWilsonSays) July 23, 2026
“They think we would wanna live in Minnesota,” a James supporter commented.
They think we would wanna live in Minnesota https://t.co/6LjaWgM9yY https://t.co/wNThONz52y
— ✧.* (@HoodiiBron) July 23, 2026
“‘LaMelo Ball had a conversation with LeBron’… is that supposed to help?” another podcaster quipped.
“Lamelo Bell had a conversation with LeBron”… is that supposed to help? https://t.co/v5p9sgRh71
— MIKE GRIER stan account (@AndyKHLiu) July 23, 2026
The reactions towards Ball’s reported recruitment of James are unsurprising. Ball has been called “wildly immature” before and someone whose on- and off-court antics were sometimes detrimental to the Hornets.
Still, Ball’s reported conversation with James has to bode well for the Timberwolves’ push to land the NBA’s all-time scoring king.
Since free agency started a little over three weeks ago, Krawczynski and O’Connor have been urging the 22-time All-Star to join forces with Edwards and Ball. After the Julius Randle and Naz Reid trades, James could slot into a perfect frontcourt role beside Gobert.
According to both insiders, the Timberwolves are the most natural and obvious fit for the 41-year-old, but they conceded that there is uncertainty in James’ willingness to live in Minnesota.
