The pick-and-roll combination between LaMelo Ball and Rudy Gobert will be one unlike any seen by the Timberwolves in their history.

MINNEAPOLIS — While much has been made of the addition of LaMelo Ball and how he will add several dimensions to the team’s offense that may have once seemed foreign, none may be more important than the potential pick-and-roll combination between himself and Rudy Gobert.

“We want to mimic some of the things that (LaMelo) was able to do with (the Hornets), and kind of put the ball in his hands and let him play out of early stuff where he’s out in space,” said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. “Just looking today, they led the league in pick-and-rolls run. You know, we feel that the LaMelo, Rudy, pick-and-roll could have the potential to be one of the hardest things in the league to guard. So, you know, we need to lean into that.”

In the 2025-2026 season, the Timberwolves ranked 23rd league-wide in pick-and-roll percentage, running the play only 13.1 percent of the time, per NBA player tracking. As Finch said, the Hornets ranked number one throughout the association, running the play 20.5 percent of the time, with Ball being the driving factor behind that figure. 

Charlotte finally able to crack into some LaMelo Ball + Mark Williams empty-side pick-and-roll, for the Williams dunk pic.twitter.com/aqwZh2uGSc

— Brian Geisinger (@bgeis_bird) October 11, 2023

Though Finch noted how the pick-and-roll between Ball and Gobert will function between them in the two-man game, he also mentioned that the Chino Hills, California native’s superb court vision means that everyone on the floor will have to be ready when he has the ball in his hands coming off of a screen. “Well, I think there’s late plays, you know, there’s late dump-offs, there’s kind of the wraparound passes,” said Finch, when asked what makes Ball unique in the pick and roll. “There’s also the ability to go in there with the sides and the skill and the feel to make late plays at the perimeter, or gonna open up, you know, kick out freeze. He does a good job of also keeping his dribble alive, which opens up the whole other side of the floor. You know, so we’ve seen it all so far in all these, you know, all these ways.”

One of the primary messages from both coaches and players has been how competitive practice is. Considering this to be the case, the energy shown on both ends of the floor will help the team adapt quicker to each other’s games. With someone like Ball who has a skillset that is arguably one-of-one, that adaptation will be especially critical this season. 

“I’ve long admired his game — coached his brother, who had success, with, I feel, a similar skill set,” said Finch, harping on Ball’s unique ability as a passer as a whole. “Just how easy they make the game — fun to watch. I’ve always been drawn to guys who pass like that. Special skill in basketball. So, but, you know, you’re gonna see, see plays every day, you know, just kind of make you go ‘wow.’”

MINNEAPOLIS — While much has been made of the addition of LaMelo Ball and how he will add several dimensions to the team’s offense that may have once seemed foreign, none may be more important than the potential pick-and-roll combination between himself and Rudy Gobert.