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The Charlotte Hornets made a shocking blockbuster trade, sending All-Star guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The deal sent Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks.
Ball was coming off a good season for Charlotte, as he averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three.
While some have criticized the Hornets for trading Ball after they went 44-38 in the 2025-26 season, former NBA player Charlie Villanueva had a different take.
"I like Naz, I feel like the way Charlotte ending the season last year they're on the right trajectory, Naz is a big pick up," Villanueva said. "They got the big Diabaté whatever his name is, I'm rolling…. I think they got better less is more. I don't think LaMelo was always the right guy, if LaMelo Ball no disrespect is your main guy, you're in trouble."
Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images
With Ball out the door, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will be the leaders for Charlotte. In his rookie season, Knueppel established himself as a budding star, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from behind the arc.
Miller also played well, averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game in his third season. The 23-year-old forward shot 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from deep.
They will now lead the team with complementary pieces like Reid. Reid played well for the Timberwolves in the 2025-26 season, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, a steal, and a block per game. The 26-year-old shot 45.6 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from distance.
Reid is entering the second year of a five-year $125 million deal, including a $28.4 million player option for the 2029-30 season.
The Hornets still have some quality young talent on the roster and will look to make a playoff push in the post-Ball era.
Hornets Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Hornets. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
The deal sent Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks.
Ball was coming off a good season for Charlotte, as he averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three.
While some have criticized the Hornets for trading Ball after they went 44-38 in the 2025-26 season, former NBA player Charlie Villanueva had a different take.
"I like Naz, I feel like the way Charlotte ending the season last year they're on the right trajectory, Naz is a big pick up," Villanueva said. "They got the big Diabaté whatever his name is, I'm rolling…. I think they got better less is more. I don't think LaMelo was always the right guy, if LaMelo Ball no disrespect is your main guy, you're in trouble."
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Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images
With Ball out the door, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller will be the leaders for Charlotte. In his rookie season, Knueppel established himself as a budding star, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from behind the arc.
Miller also played well, averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game in his third season. The 23-year-old forward shot 43.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from deep.
They will now lead the team with complementary pieces like Reid. Reid played well for the Timberwolves in the 2025-26 season, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, a steal, and a block per game. The 26-year-old shot 45.6 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from distance.
Reid is entering the second year of a five-year $125 million deal, including a $28.4 million player option for the 2029-30 season.
The Hornets still have some quality young talent on the roster and will look to make a playoff push in the post-Ball era.
Hornets Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Hornets. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
Continue reading...
