Hornets Trade LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves in Blockbuster Deal
The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly reached an agreement to acquire point guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets. In exchange, the Hornets are set to receive power forward Naz Reid, an unprotected first-round draft pick in 2033, three first-round pick swaps, and three future second-round picks. This reported trade, which has yet to be approved by the league, marks a significant roster shake-up for both teams.
The first-round pick swaps for the Hornets are scheduled for 2028, 2029, and 2030. Additionally, Charlotte will receive second-round picks in 2029, 2032, and 2033. The deal is expected to be part of a larger transaction that includes Minnesota’s agreement to send Julius Randle to Brooklyn. These transactions cannot be finalised until 6 July, when the league’s moratorium on such moves is lifted.
Ball’s Career and Impact
Ball, who was the No 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, had three years remaining on a five-year designated rookie contract. An All-Star in 2022, he has faced challenges with ankle and foot injuries throughout his career. However, he played in 72 games last season, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. His performance contributed to the Hornets winning 44 games, though they were subsequently eliminated in the play-in tournament by the Orlando Magic.
Last year, Ball finished second in the league for three-pointers made, with 272. Despite his individual efforts, the Hornets did not reach the playoffs during his six seasons with the club, with injuries cited as a contributing factor. Prior to last season, Ball missed 141 games over the previous three seasons. His shooting efficiency has been a point of discussion, with his 11.2 three-point attempts per game during the 2024-25 campaign. He connected on 33.9 percent of these attempts.
The acquisition of Ball means the Timberwolves will now have the No. 1 and No. 3 picks from the 2020 Draft in their starting backcourt, pairing him with Anthony Edwards. This move is seen as an attempt to bolster Minnesota’s roster as they pursue a championship.
Timberwolves’ Pursuit of a Championship
The Timberwolves’ decision to acquire Ball comes after a period where the team, despite reaching the Western Conference finals in 2024 and 2025, experienced stagnation. Last season, they were defeated in six games in the second round of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs. Their five-game loss in 2025 to the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder and their recent defeat by the Spurs indicated to Minnesota that they had not yet reached the championship level they have been striving for since building their roster around Anthony Edwards.
Reid, who is , has spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Timberwolves. The 6ft 11in forward was a popular player for the franchise, averaging 13.6 points and a career-best 6.2 rebounds last season. He was also a former Kia Sixth Man of the Year Award winner. Charlotte will integrate Reid into a core that includes Kia All-Rookie First Team swingman Kon Knueppel, veterans Miles Bridges and Grant Williams, and rising forward Brandon Miller.
The Hornets’ coach, Charles Lee, received a contract extension after the team reached the play-in tournament last season. One of his stated goals for the 2026-27 season is to guide Charlotte to the playoffs. The Hornets led the league in rebounding percentage, second-chance points, and three-pointers made per game since 1 January, and secured their first postseason win since 2016 by beating Miami in the play-in tournament.
The Hornets finished January with an 11-6 record and tied for the highest point differential on the road in any month in NBA history, earning Lee the award for Eastern Conference Coach of the Month.
Source: theguardian.com