LaMelo Ball is celebrating on Saturday, Aug. 22, but he continues to stack days with his new squad, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On Ball’s birthday, the Timberwolves posted a series of videos showing LaMelo’s workouts in the offseason as he prepares for his debut with the team in the upcoming 2026-2027 NBA season.
“birthday work. 💪,” the first post reads.
“the grind never stops,” the Timberwolves captioned in the second post.
LaMelo Ball Seen As A Win-Now Move For The Minnesota Timberwolves
GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 10: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the first half of a basketball game against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center on April 10, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
In a blockbuster June 2026 trade, the Timberwolves acquired Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets.
Minnesota sent out fan-favorite Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and a significant package of future draft capital (including a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and pick swaps), pivoting hard into a dynamic, win-now backcourt pairing of Ball and longtime franchise superstar Anthony Edwards.
Ball provides Rudy Gobert with the elite, creative pick-and-roll lob passer he has lacked during his tenure in Minnesota.
By emptying their remaining meaningful draft assets, the front office expects the Edwards-Ball tandem to immediately elevate the team into the upper echelon of a tough Western Conference alongside the former champions OKC Thunder and the reigning West champions San Antonio Spurs.
During the 2025-2026 NBA season, Ball played 72 games and averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. He shot 40.7% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.
The Timberwolves finished the 2025-2026 NBA regular season with a 49-33 record, placing sixth in the Western Conference. They advanced to the playoffs, where they eventually lost 4-2 in the Western Conference semifinals against the Spurs.
LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert Lead Team’s Mini Camp In Paris, France
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves greets Malik Monk #1 and LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after the game at Target Center on March 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 135-102. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
In early August, Timberwolves stars Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and Rudy Gobert paid for the entire team to travel to Paris for offseason workouts and bonding in the city.
The trip focused on building team chemistry for the new roster ahead of the 2026–27 NBA season.
The players balanced intense on-court workouts and practices with group outings, including a boat trip and a team photo in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The getaway served as an early introduction and team-building milestone for the new-look squad, integrating new pieces like Ball and Josh Green.
While Ball gave the team star power, the departures of Julius Randle and Naz Reid leave Trey Lyles as the team’s only seasoned, natural power forward. Behind Gobert, the frontcourt relies heavily on unproven youth like Joan Beringer.
Minnesota has emerged as a finalist alongside the Los Angeles. Lakers to sign 23-year-old free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Since the Timberwolves can only offer the veteran minimum right now, rumors indicate the front office may look to trade Josh Green’s $41 million contract to unlock a $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception to secure Kuminga.
Adding an athletic power forward like Kuminga would give Ball another lob threat and a capable transition player to fully maximize his passing talents.
LaMelo Ball Goes To Work With Timberwolves During Birthday Celebration