NBA Notes: Timberwolves, LaMelo Ball, Cody Williams, Knicks, Drew Eubanks

Timberwolves

The Timberwolves didn’t acquire Cody Williams merely because they needed to move some money around.

General manager Matt Lloyd indicated Minnesota had genuine interest in Williams, the former No. 10 overall pick who arrived from the Jazz in the Josh Green trade.

“There was a reason he was the 10th pick in the draft,” Lloyd told Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News, via Hoops Rumors.

Williams, 21, showed some progress late last season, averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his final 30 games.

The shooting remains the obvious issue. He made just 21.4 percent of his 3-pointers for the season.

Still, Minnesota sees a long, versatile wing worth developing. That’s not a bad throw-in for a trade that also helped clear the way for Jonathan Kuminga.

Meanwhile, Lloyd had positive things to say about LaMelo Ball, another major offseason addition.

The Wolves did extensive background work on Ball before acquiring him from Charlotte, and Lloyd described him as a hard and focused worker. Ball has also spent considerable time around the organization this summer.

So, yeah. Minnesota didn’t exactly have a quiet offseason.

Knicks

The Knicks continue looking at veteran help for the end of the roster, with center Drew Eubanks and swingman John Konchar among the possibilities, according to Ian Begley of SNY.

Eubanks appeared in 42 games for Sacramento last season, averaging about five points and three rebounds in 13 minutes before a thumb injury ended his year.

Konchar was technically a Timberwolf for a minute after being acquired from Utah in the Josh Green trade, then was waived and stretched so Minnesota could create additional room. Neither would be expected to play a major role in New York.

Then again, we’re talking about the defending champions filling out the back end of the roster. At this point, they’re shopping for useful insurance more than another major piece.