LaMelo Ball and Josh Green's FULL Timberwolves Introductory Press Conference

[0:00] I'm Alan Horton, the radio play-by-play voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves. [0:04] Thanks so much for being here today, those of you in attendance here at Target Center, [0:08] those of you watching on NBA TV and Timberwolves.com, [0:12] and those of you listening on 100.3 FM KFAN and the Timberwolves Radio Network. [0:18] Today we're excited to welcome LaMelo Ball and Josh Green as the newest additions to the Twin Cities and the Timberwolves family. [0:27] LaMelo has played six NBA seasons, all with the Charlotte Hornets. [0:31] In 303 career games, he's averaging 21 points, six rebounds, and seven assists per game. [0:37] He's shooting 42% from the field and 37% from three. [0:43] All told, in six seasons, 77 career double-doubles, 11 triple-doubles, and 48 times in his career, [0:49] he has scored 30 or more points in a game. [0:52] This past season, Ball joined Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Jamal Murray as the only players in the league [0:58] to average 20 or more points, seven or more assists, and make three or more threes per game. [1:04] The Chino Hills, California native was named 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and has made one all-star appearance. [1:12] Josh joins the Timberwolves after six NBA seasons, splitting time between Dallas and Charlotte. [1:17] In 349 career games, he's averaging six points and three rebounds, shooting a robust 48% from the field and 39% from deep. [1:27] Green has seen action in 39 playoff games, spanning three postseason trips, including a visit to the NBA Finals in 2024. [1:36] The Sydney, Australia native has represented the Australian national team in two Olympic games, including in 2020 in Tokyo, [1:44] helping the Boomers to their first-ever medal in men's basketball. [1:48] LaMelo and Josh join a playoff-tested Timberwolves team with Anthony Edwards, with Jade McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Ayo Dosumu, [1:56] a team that's reached the playoffs five consecutive seasons, the third-longest active streak in the NBA. [2:03] LaMelo and Josh are joined here on the stage by Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Tim Conley, [2:09] and Timberwolves head coach, Chris Finch. [2:12] We'll tip off today's press conference with some questions. [2:15] Let's start with John, John Krasinski of The Athletic. [2:19] John Krasinski, LaMelo, you have not been in the playoffs just yet in your career. [2:23] Just what do you think playing in a winning environment like this can do for your game [2:28] in terms of bringing out even a higher level? [2:30] I feel it can do a lot. I mean, I'm just coming here ready to play. I'm here to learn and just, you know, give them all. [2:38] What have your conversations with Ant been like about teaming up in this backcourt with him? [2:42] Yeah, I mean, I know Ant for a minute, so, I mean, we've been talking. [2:45] Just everybody excited and we're ready to get to work. [2:52] LaMelo, when you kind of see this team as a whole, what excites you the most about joining this group, [2:57] not just with Ant, but some of your other teammates that you're going to be playing alongside? [3:00] Yeah, honestly, just everything. I don't see nothing bad in it. I mean, from the coaches to the staff. [3:06] I've already been here a little. I mean, seen the people. Everybody already seemed cool. [3:10] So, all of it is just blessings. [3:12] And, Tim, kind of for you, what inspired you to make the move and want to go out and get LaMelo to pair with Ant in the backcourt here? [3:20] Yeah, I think he's such a unique player in person. He elevates people on the court and off the court. [3:26] You know, when you talk to anybody around him, they talk about how much joy he finds in the game. [3:29] I think that's really important. [3:31] And certainly, to get someone like Josh and LaMelo, you've got to, unfortunately, trade two really, really good players [3:38] and great guys in Julius and Nas. [3:40] So, without them being great players and really top-notch pros, we wouldn't get these guys. [3:46] But specific to his skill set and how it complements what we have presently, he's a lead guard. [3:52] He's a real point guard, which is hard to find. [3:54] I think you see the impact he has on his teammates, and I think it's probably well-timed. [4:00] You know, he's been through a lot, but he's still only 24 years old. [4:04] And he's a guy that we think is going to elevate us, and hopefully we can help him a little bit as well. [4:09] Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press. LaMelo, you talked about knowing Ant. [4:13] What do you like most about his game, and how do you envision you two playing off one another? [4:18] I think mindset, just how you don't let nobody affect him in front of him and just go after it. [4:23] I love that. [4:24] LaMelo, Travis Singleton, Sneakerreporter.com. [4:29] Just talk about what it means to be in Minnesota, the fans embracing you, a new city. [4:32] Just talk about this new chapter in your career as well. [4:35] Yeah, I feel like it's God's plan. [4:36] Like I said, I just leave it up to him, and I just feel extremely blessed. [4:40] And then also, can you just talk about, everybody knows how special you are offensively. [4:44] Just talk about what you can bring defensively as well to this team. [4:46] This is a defensive team, defensive mindset coming to the Western Conference. [4:50] Just talk about what you can do as well. [4:51] Yeah, I think we all feed off one another. [4:53] I mean, you see four other people playing defense, obviously, it'll make it a lot easier. [4:56] So, I feel like we'll all be good. [4:59] Chris, Chris Long from KSTB Television. [5:01] How much does LaMelo, I guess maybe the word is stabilize, on offense? [5:06] Well, it gives us a point guard, you know, and gives us great size in the West. [5:11] You know, you've got to have kind of a big backcourt. [5:13] We learned that through the playoffs this year. [5:16] As Tim mentioned, he's a player that elevates everybody. [5:20] I think he can, you know, unlock Rudy to another level at the rim. [5:24] We've got to find a way to generate more catch-and-shoot three-point shots for Anthony, [5:29] who's absolutely elite at that, and take some of the burden of handling and creating off of his hands [5:36] so he can get back. [5:37] I think he can help us and help Jaden take the next step. [5:44] We've seen incredible growth by Jaden year after year. [5:47] It's been key to our success has been the internal growth of a lot of our players, [5:52] and we see not just stabilizing but also bolstering this. [5:58] LaMelo, how much has your game, especially last year, [6:01] how much did your game advance and mature, and how much farther can you go? [6:06] I feel like sky's the limit. [6:07] Like I said, I just show up, try to learn, and do the best I could, so it's going to come in. [6:13] Chris H. F. Scott, you told Chris here, my colleague in Las Vegas, [6:18] that Ant has engaged in a way that you haven't seen before. [6:21] Can you expound on that? [6:22] Maybe what would that look like when the season comes around? [6:25] Well, you know, Ant's excitement level at this point in time, [6:28] understanding exactly where the team is, what it needs. [6:32] You know, I think oftentimes players go into the summer, you know, [6:35] they're very focused on their game, what they need to do to get better. [6:38] He certainly always has that mindset, but I think now he's kind of looking at the team [6:44] in a way that's, you know, with casting forward to what we need to do as a team to get better [6:50] and the different types of, you know, players who would fit into what we're doing [6:55] and what we believe in. [6:57] It's been fun with him. [6:59] He's been very conversational in that regard, watching the playoffs, you know, [7:03] talking basketball with him and just seeing the trends that we see in the playoffs [7:07] and the things that, you know, we would either do or counter, et cetera. [7:11] So, you know, it's like his basketball acumen continues to grow, [7:15] and he's in a really good spot right now. [7:19] Josh, question for you. [7:20] When you first got the news that you were coming to Minnesota, [7:22] when you look at what LaMelo brings to the table, Anthony Edwards, [7:26] and the rest of this roster, what excited you most when you first got the news? [7:29] Yeah. [7:31] You know, I think just being a part of a winning environment, you know, [7:33] I've been lucky enough to, you know, play here a bunch of times, you know, [7:37] in the Western Conference Finals and everything and, you know, [7:39] just to be able to feel the atmosphere and energy, you know, excites me [7:43] and I'm just, you know, ready to go. [7:46] For anybody, last year LaMelo played 28 minutes a game, [7:51] so he was able to get a lot of time in, played over 70 games. [7:55] Have you consulted with the medical staff [7:57] or figured out whether that's a prudent course of action [7:59] or do you think he can play more than that? [8:02] Well, and we haven't dug into it just yet, [8:05] so those conversations will be had as we go through the summer. [8:08] And, you know, we are confident in our medical staff. [8:12] Obviously, we've done a great job. [8:14] We've been one of the healthiest teams in the league [8:15] over the last number of years. [8:16] All credit to the leadership in that room [8:19] and the way they go about things. [8:22] So we'll have a plan, [8:24] and we'll try to stick to that plan as best we can. [8:28] Josh, just how do you see your game fitting in here, [8:31] and what kind of a role do you see for yourself with this team? [8:35] I think just from day one, [8:36] just trying to bring as many winning plays, [8:38] making the right plays. [8:40] You know, at the end of the day, I love winning. [8:41] I'm competitive, so, you know, just kind of figuring it out [8:44] and just be ready to go from day one. [8:46] And, Chris, could you talk a little bit about how you see Josh fitting in [8:49] and where you see he can bring? [8:50] Yeah, I think just he nailed it. [8:52] You know, he's played a lot of meaningful basketball in his time in the NBA, [8:56] been to the finals. [8:58] You know, he's a guy that has a skill set that plugs in easily [9:01] alongside a lot of different lineup combinations out there. [9:04] I think versatility in defense, [9:06] being able to guard across multiple positions, [9:09] an innate toughness that he has, [9:11] you know, and just kind of another experienced guy, [9:16] but still young enough to augment a young core. [9:21] Josh, have you had McDaniels guarding you a few times, [9:25] and what's that battle like? [9:27] Have I had him guarding me? [9:29] Yeah, I mean, I think, I mean, since high school, you know, [9:32] I've been playing against, you know, Jaden and those guys. [9:35] I mean, he's always been a very talented player, [9:37] and he's developed a lot in the league, [9:39] so I'm excited to be able to play next to him. [9:41] He's a great defender, and, you know, [9:42] I think it's going to be fun to, you know, play defense with him. [9:46] Tim, you talked about the need for a point guard. [9:48] Everybody kind of did heading into this offseason. [9:50] What was the value in getting somebody who can clearly set the table [9:52] but also is such a scoring threat like Lomelo is [9:54] and kind of that combination of the two? [9:57] Yeah, I mean, again, we think the sky's the limit with this game. [10:00] You know, when he's healthy, [10:02] there's not more than a handful of more impactful guys on winning in the NBA, [10:06] and, you know, it's just his love for the game. [10:09] You know, we're trying to – this is supposed to be fun. [10:11] I think he enjoys life. [10:12] He enjoys playing. [10:13] You don't want to make this, you know, anything but a joyous atmosphere. [10:18] So a combination of that with immense skills, his playmaking, his elite shooting, [10:24] we think there's a whole other level of defensive component that he can kind of unlock [10:28] with his positional size, with his instincts, and with his just IQ. [10:33] We think he's going to be a heck of a defender. [10:34] So all those things at 24 years old, we're just super lucky to have him here. [10:38] And LaMelo, both Tim and Chris have said that they've had their eye on you for a few years [10:45] and wanted to kind of get you into this team. [10:48] What does it mean to come to a group that maybe really highly values what you bring to the table, [10:53] and they've been thinking about this for a while? [10:55] Yeah, it definitely means a lot. [10:56] Just when anybody values you and sees what you can do, I mean, for sure grateful. [11:01] So, like I always say, it's a blessing. [11:02] And, Tim, how did you kind of work through scouting, not just what he does on the court, [11:08] but kind of LaMelo's overall mindset, makeup, and any kind of criticisms about his game [11:15] or anything like that? [11:16] Yeah, we're lucky. [11:17] You know, we've been in the NBA forever. [11:19] You know a million people. [11:20] I've talked to a bunch of his teammates, current and former, a bunch of coaches. [11:23] And the consistent opinion was just a joy to be around. [11:28] It brings great energy every day. [11:29] Over 82 games, it's hard to always bring great energy. [11:31] So, I think the positivity that he brings is reflected in his game. [11:36] And everyone I talked to thought in the last year or two in particular, [11:39] the maturity kind of rose tremendously. [11:43] And I just think he's primed to help lead us to places we haven't been yet. [11:47] I think in our, not just our league, but our society, we want it now, now, now, now, now. [11:52] He's 24 years old. [11:53] And when he's healthy, he's driven winning. [11:55] So, we hope that that continues. [11:57] And we really want to take the next step, and we think he can lead the way. [12:00] Tim, Michael Rand from the Star Tribune, you guys have four first-round picks from 2020 now. [12:08] What's the particular value you see in kind of the young veterans that you're accumulating right now? [12:14] We have none for the next 10 years. [12:15] That's a good story. [12:16] I didn't – you said it on me. [12:19] It's all about quality, not quantity, right? [12:22] No, these guys are young vets, and they've seen a lot. [12:24] So, I think, again, I think we talk about Ant quite a bit. [12:29] The amount of winning Ant seeing his number one overall pick I don't think is appreciated enough, [12:32] especially given his age. [12:33] Like, Ant drives winning. [12:35] It's supposed to be hard when you come in the NBA when you're super talented. [12:37] It's supposed to be this natural ascent. [12:40] And we think both these guys – I mean, Josh was an impactful part of a team that smacked us in the Western Conference Finals. [12:46] You see what Lomelo does when he's healthy. [12:49] And even as the health – it's been these random wonky injuries, right? [12:52] There's nothing – you'll play more than 72 here for short, right? [12:56] No, I'll say hopefully. [12:59] So, I think, you know, these guys have just got a lot of innings under their belt, [13:04] and they know what it looks like. [13:07] They're veteran basketball players, but they're still really young relative to their age. [13:09] So, I think it's kind of a sweet spot to see we have all these guys together and they grow together. [13:14] Lomelo, what was it like for you last year, after five years of relatively non-competitive from the team, [13:20] to be in a playoff hunt and in a chase and playing games that really mattered down the stretch of the season? [13:27] How did that change kind of things for you? [13:30] I mean, just going the right way, honestly. [13:33] Whenever you're winning, I feel like that's the right way. [13:35] And when you're losing, that's obviously the wrong way. [13:40] Chris, Tim just said he feels this group can go to the level you've never been to, take another step. [13:45] What will it take? I mean, you obviously have a lot of talent on this team. [13:47] What would it take having to watch the playoffs and see what, you know, wins championships for this team to get to that level? [13:53] Yeah, you know, when you make big changes to the roster, obviously, the first step is it just takes time to smooth out some of the rough pieces. [14:02] But we're a big believer in the connectivity that should kind of naturally be there. [14:07] And, you know, for us, the example I use is we've just got to get way better at all the small things. [14:13] I mean, you know, when you start to pick up golf for the first time, to go from an 18 handicap to an 8 handicap is pretty easy. [14:21] You know, just put the time in, get a little bit more. [14:23] You go from 8 to a 7 or a 7 to a 5 and it gets harder and harder because the margins are tougher and tougher. [14:29] And that's where we are. [14:31] You know, we've got to have better habits across the board, ones that we know are going to, you know, hold up against the best teams in the West. [14:37] And during the regular season, you know, we've shown, obviously, the ability to beat anybody. [14:43] And that's kind of the league these days. [14:44] We've done a great job with playoffs in the early rounds. [14:49] And we've, you know, made some runs to the Western Conference Finals. [14:53] But we also know, like, that's only halfway there. [14:55] You've got to win the Western Conference Finals and then win the finals. [14:57] So keeping it all in perspective, we're hungry. [15:00] We've got to, you know, continue to round out our defense. [15:03] We're going to have to figure out how to now be a small team in a league that's going bigger. [15:10] And so, you know, we've made these type of switches before. [15:14] But it's really about the refinement of the championship habits that we have to establish. [15:21] Tim, you mentioned the no picks. [15:23] Obviously, this was a move that kind of emptied the tank on assets, draft assets. [15:27] Did you have to know, I guess, if you were going to move that 2033 pick that it was going to be a pick that it was going to be for a player who can make this massive impact and be with this team long term and kind of maybe be somebody who would actually get you over the hump? [15:39] Yeah, I mean, the bigger loss was Nas, both as a player and a person. [15:44] I mean, if we could have done this without Nas, you know, it would have been the biggest no-brainer. [15:48] So while the pick's important, and thankfully the step-in role allows us to have a pick every other year, so it's not as dire as it might seem from afar. [15:56] Just losing Nas, you know, he's exactly what you want to see, undrafted, got better and better. [16:03] He's an elite, you know, power forward and also an elite guy. [16:06] So that was the more hurtful part. [16:08] I think if you're, you know, our goal is to win, and I think you have to mesh strategy with winning. [16:14] But if you're solely focused on strategy and not winning games, it's a brutal place to be. [16:18] So we'll continue to try to balance those two things. [16:22] But when you look at the core we have and the age of our core and their ability to grow and really be together for a really long time, it's exciting. [16:31] Dan Lomelo, this obviously is a team that is used to playing in the postseason and winning games. [16:35] And assuming that's the case again this next year, what did you learn from these last couple of play-in games last year that you can maybe apply as you move forward and just kind of prepare you for that stage? [16:45] Pretty much just every play count. [16:47] Just everything you do in the whole game, it all counts from the first quarter all the way to the end of the game. [16:51] Josh, just how much do you lean on your versatility as a player being able to guard multiple positions? [16:59] And like Coach was saying, if you guys play smaller this year, can you play a little four as well? [17:04] And just where do you see yourself kind of trying to find your way versatility-wise? [17:08] Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, at the end of the day, I'm open to, you know, defending anything, you know, one through four. [17:14] And, you know, I think that's, you know, one of my strengths is being able to plug in and you'll be able to do that offensively and defensively. [17:19] So, really, whatever's the odds for me, you know, I'll be ready to go. [17:23] Tim, Chris just mentioned, you know, learning how to be maybe a smaller team in a league that's trending bigger. [17:29] You know, with trading Julius and Nas, there's lack of power forwards on the roster here. [17:34] Just kind of how do you view that position in rounding out the roster the rest of the offseason here? [17:40] Yeah, look, we've got, you know, we're down two great power forwards. [17:43] So, it's certainly an area we're going to have to try to be creative. [17:47] There's a couple of free agents still available. [17:48] We're working one or two of them right now. [17:51] We'll see if that comes to fruition. [17:52] But I think some blood of our lack of size, there's going to be an increased role for Johan, who we're all very excited about. [18:00] But certainly, it's going to be a new look roster. [18:02] And all credit to Coach Finch's willingness to, you know, consistently evolve and coach what's put in front of him. [18:09] There's not a more creative coach in the world, so we have full faith. [18:11] And whatever we put out there, it's going to be successful and it might look different. [18:15] But we're excited about it. [18:16] Josh, what did you just learn about playing with LaMelo as a teammate, like what he brings to the table day in and day on base? [18:23] Yeah, I think just like going off, you know, what both Tim and Coach have been saying, just like, you know, his energy is contagious, you know, on the court, off the court, you know, being able to play fast. [18:32] You know, he gets all his teammates involved and, you know, he's just, you know, he's a great guy to be around. [18:37] And I think that goes a long way in the league. [18:39] And, you know, I think it's great. [18:40] So it brings a lot of energy and it's fun to be around. [18:44] LaMelo, you put a call into LeBron and just say, hey, come on with us or? [18:48] Say it again for me? [18:49] Do you put a call into LeBron and just say, come on with us? [18:53] Yeah, yeah, whatever you're thinking. [19:02] Another question for Connelly. [19:04] Obviously, you guys have the luxury of ownership that's willing to, you know, go into that luxury tax. [19:09] If you could just describe some of the flexibility that gives you in roster building and also kind of that tiptoe with not wanting to go into the second apron. [19:17] Yeah, we're very fortunate to have extremely aggressive owners. [19:20] I mean, over 48 hours, we went from way under the tax to back into the tax. [19:25] I think the mandate since I've been here is try to win a championship. [19:29] And that gives us tremendous optionality and it allows us to be aggressive when we're – situations like this aren't going to come very often. [19:37] So the aggression, the ownership showed certainly allowed for this to happen. [19:41] And then another quick question for me on that, just when you trade for a guy like LaMelo, just how are you weighing, you know, win now versus how he can impact you guys in the long term? [19:51] If you could describe that thought process. [19:53] Well, I think it's both. [19:54] We certainly don't want to take a step back. [19:56] And while we look different, you know, LaMelo saw a lot of winning early, too. [20:01] I think, you know, he's had some unfortunate injuries. [20:03] But the first couple of years, he really drove winning early with a more veteran group. [20:08] You saw last year, I mean, after the new year, they were the best offensively by a mile. [20:13] They were top five defense. [20:15] There was no hotter team in the NBA. [20:16] So I think while he hasn't had the success he probably wanted to, from a team perspective, first X amount of years, I do think it's a little overstated how little winning basketball he's seen. [20:27] And I think he'll – again, I think he'll elevate us. [20:30] And I think our environment will be conducive to his continued growth as well. [20:35] Chris, is it easier to draw up offense with Rudy in there if you do go smaller? [20:39] Well, I do feel like, you know, we have a blueprint for what fits Rudy most comfortably, you know, and when you had a lot of offense – you know, a lot of consistent offensive success in Utah and more of a smaller lineups for round one. [20:56] You know, Rudy's done an incredible job over the last couple years of learning how to play off of another big, whether it be Cat or Julius or Nas. [21:04] All those guys had different kind of spacing requirements, and Rudy's done a really good job of kind of adding that component to his game. [21:11] But I can now envision lineup constructs that, you know, kind of get him back to being the – he's always been a great roller, but now, you know, just with better space around him and things that he does more naturally. [21:27] So I know he's excited as well and looking forward to establishing an early chemistry with Lamell. [21:36] Tim, what has the recruitment of LeBron been like, and where do you feel like you're at with that right now? [21:42] I don't know. [21:44] Look, I think the recruitment is this team. [21:48] I think, obviously, he's an unbelievable player. [21:51] Whatever decision he's made is going to be the right one. [21:53] There's a lot going on. [21:54] When you're as great as he is, you should have optionality. [21:58] I think when you look at our team, it's hard not to be excited about what we have. [22:01] We have the best coach. [22:03] We have amazing fans. [22:04] We've had – the last couple of years, our success has been as good as anybody outside of the guys that have won it all. [22:10] And I think not just speaking to LeBron, any free agent, I think this is a place we're going to have a lot of fun and win a lot of games. [22:19] And, you know, we're trying to change the narrative of how this organization is viewed. [22:24] So, you know, we're kind of proud of who we are. [22:26] And certainly wherever LeBron ends up is going to make that place much, much, much better. [22:30] But it's hard not to look at Lamello and Jaden and Rudy and Ann and Josh. [22:36] And we saw what TJ did in the postseason. [22:38] We think Beringer has a chance to be a really special player. [22:41] We're extremely excited to get Io back. [22:42] That was a pretty competitive market. [22:43] He had options all over the league. [22:46] You know, I like who we are. [22:48] And certainly we're pretty proud of who we are. [22:50] So hopefully that's appealing not just to LeBron but any free agent. [22:54] Lamello, as a point guard, have you watched Olivia Miles yet? [22:59] Have you seen Olivia Miles yet? [23:01] Yeah, yeah, of course. [23:01] She called. [23:04] For Josh and Lamello, how has your perception of Minnesota and the Timberwolves kind of evolved over these last few years as this team has kind of been on the rise? [23:21] Yeah. [23:21] I mean, I think going up before, you know, being able to play here now for many years. [23:26] And I think just like, you know, it's a very underrated basketball city. [23:29] You know, I think some of the best fans, if not the best fans in the NBA, you know, it's a very loud arena to play. [23:34] And, you know, a beautiful city. [23:35] You know, it's great. [23:37] So it's an awesome place. [23:40] Second at everything my man said. [23:43] For sure. [23:45] All right. [23:45] Thank you for all the questions. [23:46] We'll have a photo opportunity up here on the stage with Josh and Lamello and Chris and Tim. [23:52] All right. [24:28] That's going to conclude today's press conference. [24:30] Thanks to Lamello and Josh, to Tim Conley and Chris Finch. [24:33] Thanks to everyone watching, listening, and here in attendance. [24:36] Have a great day. [24:37] All right. [24:37] All right. [24:38] All right. [24:39] All right. [24:39] All right. [24:40] Thank you.