The Minnesota Timberwolves made a huge move this summer by bringing LaMelo Ball to town to play alongside Anthony Edwards. The move gives Minnesota a new starting backcourt and begins another chapter for a team that has reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons after an important offseason.
Before the two guards played a game together, Jon Krawczynski from The Athletic reported that they had already reached out to one of the most experienced players in the NBA for a good reason.
Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball Reaches Out To LeBron James
While discussing Minnesota’s offseason, Krawczynski said both Edwards and Ball have spoken with LeBron James.
“Anthony Edwards has been directly involved with LeBron in this process; he’s made phone calls with LeBron. LaMelo Ball had a conversation with LeBron,” Krawczynski said on X.
“Anthony Edward’s has been directly involved with Lebron in this process, he’s made phone calls with LeBron. Lamelo Ball had a conversation with LeBron”
Love that the superstars are trying their best to bring him here as well. pic.twitter.com/RE4t6GQkaJ
— SleeperTimberwolves (@SleeperTWolves) July 22, 2026
Krawczynski’s report did not include the specific details about what the players discussed during these calls. He also did not mention who initiated the contact in the first place. Instead, his reporting confirms that Minnesota’s two starting guards have been actively talking with James as they get ready for the upcoming season.
Even without these details, the news is a big deal. It proves that Minnesota’s new backcourt is working together behind the scenes before the new season starts.
Anthony Edwards Already Knows LeBron James
Edwards and James have built a relationship over the past several years. They played together for Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the United States won the gold medal. Playing alongside James gave Edwards a chance to watch one of the league’s longest-tenured stars during practices, games, and daily preparation.
Edwards has continued to grow since Minnesota selected him with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He has made four straight All-Star teams and helped lead the Timberwolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances despite some ongoing frustrations. As his role has grown, so has his relationship with players who have spent years competing at the highest level.
Krawczynski’s report shows those conversations with James have continued after the Olympics.
LaMelo Ball Starts Fresh In Minnesota
Ball comes into this new season facing a completely different challenge. He spent the first six years of his career playing for the Charlotte Hornets, so he now has to learn an entirely new team, adjust to new teammates, and get used to a new system.
His main job will be running the offense for Minnesota while sharing the backcourt with Edwards, who is already known as one of the top scorers in the NBA. The Timberwolves still need to improve an incomplete offense, and developing this partnership will be a big part of that. Both guards need to understand how each other plays before the official games start.
The report from Krawczynski reveals that Ball also took time to talk with James during this transition period, even though what they discussed remains a secret.
LeBron James Has Been Here Before
Few active players have played through more changes than James. He has spent 22 NBA seasons with three franchises, won four NBA championships, appeared in 10 NBA Finals and played with stars at every position. He has also joined new teams, adjusted to new systems and built successful partnerships with different teammates throughout his career.
Those experiences help explain why younger players continue to seek his advice. Krawczynski’s report does not reveal what James told Edwards or Ball, but it does show both players believed the conversation was worth having before the season started.
Minnesota’s Work Has Already Begun
Training camp has not opened, but Minnesota’s new backcourt is already preparing for the season.
The Timberwolves will enter the year with high expectations after changing one of the league’s most important positions. Edwards remains the face of the franchise. Ball arrives as the team’s new point guard. Their ability to play together will help shape Minnesota’s season.
Krawczynski’s report adds another important piece to the story. Before they ever step onto the floor together, Edwards and Ball have both reached out to James. What they talked about during those calls might never be shared with the public.
Still, the fact that these conversations happened at all shows that Minnesota’s two main guards are already working hard to prepare for what lies ahead.
Photo Credit: Matt Blewett, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
