LeBron James remains a free agent, and the Minnesota Timberwolves still appear like one of the finalists in his sweepstakes.
The Wolves’ ability to contend over the last couple of seasons, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge, could be enough to woo LeBron in free agency. Minnesota has been busy this offseason, acquiring point guard LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst wonders if that deal will hurt Minnesota’s chances at signing LeBron in free agency.
“With Anthony
Edwards and Rudy Gobert, the Wolves have elite perimeter play and rim protection. Edwards and James played together on the Olympic team, so there’s familiarity between the two, and Jaden McDaniels would provide James cover by guarding opponents’ top wing scorers,” Windhorst wrote.
“LaMelo Ball is a wild card; his style of play would test James’ patience, but having James on the court with shooters such as Ball, Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu provides what has always been a successful formula.”
Adding LeBron would change Minnesota’s offense completely, but it could be for the better. Even at 42 (he turns 42 in December), he still has a strong impact that could alter a team’s ceiling and the Wolves should be excited at the possibility of signing him at the veterans minimum.
Ball’s role in the offense would change drastically if LeBron were to come to Minnesota, but the Wolves have to make those changes if they can sell LeBron on a winning situation.
The Wolves originally brought Ball in as someone who can take some of the pressure off of Edwards to create in the backcourt, but utilizing him as the sharpshooter he is could yield stronger results, which could be what Minnesota needs to get over the hump in the Western Conference.
Canis Hoopus community, how do you feel about LeBron’s fit with the Wolves? Chime off in the comments section below.
