LaMelo Ball was formally introduced by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, July 14.
The point guard was short with his answers but is excited for the opportunity for a fresh start after he was traded by the Charlotte Hornets.
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“The sky is the limit,” Ball said. “I’m just going to show up and try to learn and do the best I can.”
Ball will be paired alongside franchise superstar Anthony Edwards.
“I’ve known Ant for a minute,” Ball said. “We’ve been talking, and everybody is excited. We’re ready to get to work.”
Ball made more than $35 million a year in each of the last two years after signing a contract extension in 2023. He remains under contract, making more than $40 million, for each of the next three years. Minnesota paid a hefty price to acquire the guard.
“I feel like we could do a lot,” Ball said. “It means a lot when someone values you.”
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after h is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after he is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
AJ Dybantsa is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Cameron Boozer awaits the start of Round One.
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Caleb Wilson poses with family prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Chris Cenac Jr. poses for a photo with Kelvin Sampson prior to Round One.
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
Mikel Brown Jr. awaits the start of Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)
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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos
An interior view of Barclays Center prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
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The Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030), and three second-round picks.
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“It gives us a point guard and gives us great size in the West,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said. “You need to have a big backcourt and we learned that through the playoffs.”
Finch also believes that Ball will have the ability to help elevate the offense.
“He can unlock (Rudy Gobert) to another level at the rim,” Finch said of what Ball can offer the team. “We’ve got to find a way to generate more catch-and-shoot 3-point shots for Anthony (Edwards), who is elite at that and take some of the burden of handling and creating off his hands.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LaMelo Ball ‘ready to get to work’ with Minnesota Timberwolves
