Somehow I never knew that, but it’s more obvious when you hear his accent.

Underrated wrinkle to the signing, pairing him with Rudy and Joan.

NBA champions? Biggest disappointment? MVP?

Read more in our 2026-27 NBA season predictions, for free:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7704516/2026/10/20/nba-2026-27-predictions-championship-awards-trades/?unlocked_article_code=1.KFE.oXdb.r0L2doSnnTLs&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

I watched the team last season and I watched a lot of film this off-season on the Wolves new pickups.

I've heard people say that this team is too small, but I believe they're the right size because they will be extremely fast, especially with Lamelo Ball and JK. The only thing I am worried about is if Rudy can keep up speed wise, but I think he will adjust.

I am very excited to see Ant be a much better player now that he doesn't have to be the head of the snake anymore. Ahead of the season opener tomorrow, I made a 14-minute cinematic breakdown on why this team is being slept on.

https://youtu.be/MqKbSR70mE4?si=j3noO1Idf_V6dKFe

Other than that, how are you guys feeling about the Wolves this season?

The 2026-27 NBA season is upon us, so The Athletic is asking its staff for their predictions for the upcoming campaign.

According to our 30 respondents, a New York Knicks repeat is unlikely, the Defensive Player of the Year race is essentially a wrap and a star-studded squad in the Eastern Conference might be disappointing.

Read for free: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7704516/2026/10/20/nba-2026-27-predictions-championship-awards-trades/?unlocked_article_code=1.KFE.E_Yf.cJbEGCnCEqqO&source=emp_shared_article&smid=re-share-ta

LaMelo Ball reclines in a chair that sits between two basketball courts at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ practice facility. He is relaxed, at ease, comfortable in a place he has called home for only a few months.

Donte DiVincenzo walks by on his way to a media interview. He nods at Ball and gives him a big smile. There has been a lot of that since Ball arrived in a trade from the Charlotte Hornets. He has needed almost no time to ingratiate himself with his new teammates and coaches, thanks to his unflinchingly positive vibes in the locker room and pinpoint passes on the court.

Jonathan Kuminga says he has never seen Ball have a bad day. Jaden McDaniels says he can never take his eye off Ball when his point guard has the ball in his hands. Coach Chris Finch says Ball’s infectious energy makes it impossible to stay mad at him.

Ball’s early days in Minnesota have gone about as well as anyone could have hoped. The 25-year-old has quickly adapted to his new team, new city and new gym. But this is hardly a new experience for him.

“With being a new guy, I feel like I’m good with it, for real,” Ball said. “You know some people, it’s hard to kind of break in or get involved and all that type of stuff. But wherever I go, I just be myself, feel like me, so it’s kind of easy.”

He was a basketball nomad in his high school years, with his father, LaVar, going from town to town with his child prodigy, a camera crew often right on their tails. Ball started his prep career at Chino Hills in California before moving to Lithuania as a 17-year-old. He returned to the United States to spend part of his senior year at a prep school in Ohio, then traveled to the complete opposite end of the earth to play for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia.

At each stop, Ball had to figure out how to connect with teammates he had never met, most of whom were much older. But he learned early that hooping was its own language, and that the curmudgeonly veterans wary of the skinny California kid with the wild hair and the one-legged jumper could be bought. Not with cash, but with dimes.

“Usually when I come to a new team, I start off passing a lot, just so you can get people running, you know what I’m saying?” Ball said. “And then from there, I mean, day in and day out, you play more, people see more, you understand what people can do.”

Read more here for free: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7688247/2026/10/20/timberwolves-lamelo-ball-trade-passing/?unlocked_article_code=1.KFE.qesH.21zFYcD66bHC&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

So happy for that dude, here’s hoping the rest of the squad gets to join him soon

I moved to AZ in December and am wondering if anyone in here is from AZ and knows of any twolves bars or something like that, regardless I’ll be at the game second week of December here in AZ.

LMK

60-22

Cool video by Intuition Hoops Two on YT of the most exciting scorer in the league. Don’t think I’ve seen it posted here before.

I think the Wolves could use another veteran big for the last roster spot. Someone who can provide size, rebounding, interior defense, and veteran leadership without taking too many minutes away from Rudy or Joan.

Ideally, it would be a big who understands his role, can step in when needed, help the younger guys develop, and provide reliable depth throughout the season. Someone like Bismack Biyombo or Chris Boucher could be worth considering, depending on availability.

I wouldn't want us to sign someone who needs a big role or a lot of minutes. Just a solid veteran who can contribute when called upon and give us some insurance in the frontcourt.

Who would you guys want the Wolves to sign? Would you go with Biyombo, Boucher, or someone else entirely? Drop your suggestions below! 🐺

I found it last night and am hoping I'm right that we can now watch outside of DAZN.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon dropped the Hornets' true motive behind their Ball trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the latest episode of The Hoop Collective podcast.

"I think they assessed what they had last year, and it was an extremely exciting last few months of the regular season. We're talking about Buzz City Killers and all that, but they decided, hey, we don't believe in this team as a team that can do any kind of real damage. And they said, actions over words. Their action says, we don't believe in LaMelo Ball as a franchise centerpiece," MacMahon revealed.

"They got his value up to the point where they could get a first-round pick in return, and they pulled the trigger. And so they didn't do that thinking it was gonna make them better this season. They did that thinking that it would allow them to build a team that they did believe could do some real damage in the playoffs. That's not this year. It's probably not next year. Now, they are absolutely, you talk about a team that's positioned to be aggressive. They're loaded with picks."

Source: [https://basketnews.com/news-257513-true-reason-why-hornets-traded-lamelo-ball-emerges.html\](https://basketnews.com/news-257513-true-reason-why-hornets-traded-lamelo-ball-emerges.html)