LaMelo Ball is set to bring his crisp shooting and dazzling passes to the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. But Ball himself is in awe of a certain teammate’s versatile skill set.
In a media availability on Monday, Ball had some positive things to say about Wolves forward Jaden McDaniels.
“I love Jaden. (He can) move, run, play defense, cut back, shoot the 3, really anything you need. D*mn near a 2K player, it’s crazy.”
Over the past three seasons, McDaniels has steadily improved his scoring, shooting efficiency and assists. In the 2026 playoffs, the former Washington Huskies standout was a revelation, coming up big in the series against the Denver Nuggets and holding his own against the San Antonio Spurs.
Ball’s arrival gives the Timberwolves another elite playmaker, someone who can set up McDaniels and others for high-quality scoring opportunities. This gives Wolves coach Chris Finch the luxury of having a court general on the floor even when Anthony Edwards takes a breather.
It’s also worth noting that Ball, McDaniels, and Edwards were all part of the same draft class. In 2020, Edwards went No. 1 and Ball went No. 3, while McDaniels was taken 28th by the LA Lakers and subsequently traded to the Wolves via the Thunder.
All three of the young athletes have hit their stride in recent years, and when the Wolves’ season tips off on Wednesday against the Miami Heat, they’ll have a chance to prove they can be a formidable combination.
“He’s Giving All He’s Got”: Jonathan Kuminga Comments on LaMelo Ball’s Defensive Effort
Another young stud who’s playing for the Wolves this season is Jonathan Kuminga. On Monday, he told reporters that his new teammate LaMelo Ball has been putting in the work on the defensive end.
“So far, he’s giving all he’s got, he’s very active on the ball, you know, we all help each other, we’re all not perfect.”
Kuminga added that McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, two of the top defensive players on the Wolves lineup, have been pushing the team to “do better” on that end of the floor.
READ MORE:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!