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Just reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Hornets franchise cornerstone LaMelo Ball has been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Here are the full packages for both teams
Timberwolves receive: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green
Hornets receive: Naz Reid, 2033 unprotected first round pick, three first round pick swaps, and three second round picks
This trade came out of left field within the NBA landscape. From the outside, the entire league has been focused on the Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo trade markets.
Late into the second round of the NBA Draft, Shams reported that the Hornets are highly engaged in trade talks, and that Ball was being pursued heavily by multiple teams. Later on in the night, multiple reports indicated that the two destinations were either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Toronto Raptors.
Less than 12 hours later, LaMelo Ball is paired up with NBA superstar Anthony Edwards and will look to contend in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Hornets are clearly all in on their core outside of Ball.
Apr 14, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) alongside forward Brandon Miller (24) give an interview after the overtime win during the play-in rounds between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Priority No.1 is now re-signing guard Coby White, whom the Hornets traded for midway through last season. White was excellent off the bench for Charlotte last season, bringing the Hornets another guard who could run the offense in the non-LaMelo minutes.
The Hornets have to be really high on Coby White to do this. Charlotte’s offense was so good last year because of how fast they played and how many threes they shot. Ball was the catalyst for that, creating open looks either in transition or off of dribble penetration.
Mar 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives past Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
This move certainly elevates Minnesota to a degree. The Timberwolves needed to get younger and faster. LaMelo Ball brings elite playmaking and another real scoring option alongside Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves also kept their defensive identity intact, not having to move Rudy Gobert or Jaden McDaniels in this deal. Minnesota is still a clear top-five team in the Western Conference. This doesn’t move them towards being in the same tier as the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
May 15, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half during game six of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The timing feels weird here for Charlotte. LaMelo Ball seemed to be turning the corner, playing with a little more maturity, becoming a vocal leader, and even showing brief signs of improved defense.
Charlotte had one of the best last three months of the season, posting a 33-16 record from January 1st to the end of the regular season in April. Ball was a huge part of that.
The Timberwolves will remain dangerous in the West; it’s hard to say what Charlotte can do in the East now that the engine of their offense is gone. Minnesota is the early winner of this deal.
Continue reading...
Timberwolves receive: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green
Hornets receive: Naz Reid, 2033 unprotected first round pick, three first round pick swaps, and three second round picks
This trade came out of left field within the NBA landscape. From the outside, the entire league has been focused on the Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo trade markets.
Late into the second round of the NBA Draft, Shams reported that the Hornets are highly engaged in trade talks, and that Ball was being pursued heavily by multiple teams. Later on in the night, multiple reports indicated that the two destinations were either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Toronto Raptors.
Less than 12 hours later, LaMelo Ball is paired up with NBA superstar Anthony Edwards and will look to contend in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Hornets are clearly all in on their core outside of Ball.
Where Charlotte goes from here
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Apr 14, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) alongside forward Brandon Miller (24) give an interview after the overtime win during the play-in rounds between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Priority No.1 is now re-signing guard Coby White, whom the Hornets traded for midway through last season. White was excellent off the bench for Charlotte last season, bringing the Hornets another guard who could run the offense in the non-LaMelo minutes.
The Hornets have to be really high on Coby White to do this. Charlotte’s offense was so good last year because of how fast they played and how many threes they shot. Ball was the catalyst for that, creating open looks either in transition or off of dribble penetration.
Minnesota’s status in the Western Conference with LaMelo Ball
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Mar 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives past Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
This move certainly elevates Minnesota to a degree. The Timberwolves needed to get younger and faster. LaMelo Ball brings elite playmaking and another real scoring option alongside Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves also kept their defensive identity intact, not having to move Rudy Gobert or Jaden McDaniels in this deal. Minnesota is still a clear top-five team in the Western Conference. This doesn’t move them towards being in the same tier as the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
Way too early winner of the trade
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May 15, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half during game six of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The timing feels weird here for Charlotte. LaMelo Ball seemed to be turning the corner, playing with a little more maturity, becoming a vocal leader, and even showing brief signs of improved defense.
Charlotte had one of the best last three months of the season, posting a 33-16 record from January 1st to the end of the regular season in April. Ball was a huge part of that.
The Timberwolves will remain dangerous in the West; it’s hard to say what Charlotte can do in the East now that the engine of their offense is gone. Minnesota is the early winner of this deal.
Continue reading...
