The Minnesota Timberwolves held an individual, in-person workout with LaMelo Ball on Wednesday in Southern California, according to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express and ESPN.
Minnesota has the first overall pick in next week's NBA Draft. Givony described Ball as the “projected No. 1 pick” in his report.
Givony added that Ball had previously met with the Timberwolves brass, including head coach Ryan Saunders and president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, and has interviewed with multiple organizations—and not very well, apparently. However, he had not worked out in-person for any NBA teams prior to Wednesday.
For what it's worth, Givony heard that the 19-year-old point guard shot the ball well in his workouts. Ball's shooting is one of his biggest red flags after he made just 25 percent of his 3-point attempts in 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks of Australia's National Basketball League in 2019-20.
In his latest mock draft, Givony has Minnesota taking Ball, if they decide to hold onto the pick rather than deal it for a third star to pair alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell, as has been speculated.
Givony noted that an in-person workout with basketball activities could impact Minnesota's decision. He also brought up the possibility that Minnesota could move down to No. 3 and send the top NBA Draft pick to the Charlotte Hornets, who are more interested in Georgia's Anthony Edwards. In that scenario, the Timberwolves could acquire bonus future assets and still land Ball two picks later.
Minnesota is considered to be in “win-now” mode as they hope to make a leap into the Western Conference playoffs and persuade Towns to remain committed long-term.
Ball averaged 17 points per game in his brief NBL stint and after leaving high school early at the behest of his father, LaVar, played overseas first in Lithuania before re-enrolling in school in Ohio. But, he's a gifted passing wizard at 6'7″ with undeniable flare.
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