LaMelo Ball (Image Credits: Imagn)

Minnesota Timberwolves Quietly Explored Blockbuster Path to LaMelo Ball Before Deadline

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Kenny Nosay | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 1:34 AM ET

Weeks before Thursday’s trade deadline, the Minnesota Timberwolves were reportedly all-in in their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. An Edwards-Antetokounmpo would definitely boost this franchise to immediate contention. However, with the Bucks signaling that they weren’t serious about trading their two-time league MVP, the Wolves quietly sought out another star, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball.

It’s no secret that the Wolves are short on point guard depth. They traded away veteran Mike Conley before the deadline. They also hastily gave up on last year’s lottery pick, Rob Dillingham, by trading him to Chicago in exchange for Ayo Dosunmu. Wanting to pair Anthony Edwards with a legitimate floor general, they reportedly tried to gauge the Hornets’ interest in parting ways with their star guard.

“The Timberwolves were trying to find a pathway to land LaMelo Ball before the deadline,” according to a report by Chris Haynes.

The Timberwolves were trying to find a pathway to land LaMelo Ball before the deadline, per @ChrisBHaynes

(h/t @NBA__Courtside ) pic.twitter.com/ilyOawmYPg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2026

If Charlotte had continued to struggle, maybe they would have welcomed the idea of trading away LaMelo Ball. However, the Hornets have surprisingly become one of the hottest teams in the league as of late. They’ve dug themselves from the bottom of the East standings and now sit at tenth place in their conference.

Hornets May Reunite The Ball Brothers

Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball (Photos by Imagn Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers surprisingly traded Lonzo Ball, LaMelo’s older brother, to the Jazz before the trade deadline. Lonzo is expected to be waived by Utah, thus making him eligible to sign with any team.

Will he end up playing alongside his much more talented brother in Charlotte? While not via trade, Lonzo could still end up in a Hornets uniform as a free agent. Surely, LaMelo would welcome the possibility of playing with his brother, right? While he might be open to it, the Hornets might not have much room for Lonzo.

The team just added Coby White via the trade deadline.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: