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The Charlotte Hornets are entering a new era in 2026, shocking the NBA by making a blockbuster trade. LaMelo Ball is headed to the Western Conference, where he’ll join forces with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves clearly prioritized acquiring another ball handler and scoring option. This move is meant to take pressure off Anthony Edwards, enabling him to be an off-ball scorer more than ever before.
MORE: Blockbuster LaMelo Ball trade shakes up NBA Western Conference landscape
The Charlotte aspect of this is the most interesting piece. Charlotte has pivoted away from their franchise cornerstone for the past six years. Now the core and future of the team is built around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. Both are outstanding players, but have also thrived off of playing with Ball.
Charlotte still has a full offseason ahead of them after this trade, so more moves are sure to follow.
Apr 2, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) gets around Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Hornets are in a position to make many more moves; they’ve already made one since the trade happened, re-signing Coby White to a three-year, $74 million deal. This move was bound to happen after Ball was dealt away.
Charlotte is currently $75 million below the luxury tax line, giving them flexibility to add pieces and fill out the roster more without reaching the luxury tax. The most important piece of this Ball trade is that the Hornets have a $40.8 million trade exception, the largest in NBA history.
MORE: How LaMelo Ball trade impacts Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Championship odds
This means that Charlotte can pursue some big names without eating into their salary, which would be especially important if Charlotte trades for a star player.
Mar 4, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball while Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Charlotte could go big fish hunting and target Boston Celtics’ forward Jaylen Brown. The Celtics are reportedly still shopping Jaylen Brown despite not landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a proposed deal around Brown.
Charlotte could center the deal around Miles Bridges, the Hornets’ uber-athletic forward. Bridges can also space the floor, as Boston loves to hoist their three up. This doesn’t come without some resources for the future.
Along with Bridges, Boston would receive forwards Grant Williams and Tijane Salün. The main reason the Celtics would make this trade is to acquire draft capital, and Charlotte has plenty of it.
The Hornets would also send three unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap. If the Hornets don’t get that done, they also could be a Ja Morant destination, but that’s not nearly as enticing as a Jaylen Brown deal.
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The Timberwolves clearly prioritized acquiring another ball handler and scoring option. This move is meant to take pressure off Anthony Edwards, enabling him to be an off-ball scorer more than ever before.
MORE: Blockbuster LaMelo Ball trade shakes up NBA Western Conference landscape
The Charlotte aspect of this is the most interesting piece. Charlotte has pivoted away from their franchise cornerstone for the past six years. Now the core and future of the team is built around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. Both are outstanding players, but have also thrived off of playing with Ball.
Charlotte still has a full offseason ahead of them after this trade, so more moves are sure to follow.
The Hornets’ flexibility this offseason
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Apr 2, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) gets around Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Hornets are in a position to make many more moves; they’ve already made one since the trade happened, re-signing Coby White to a three-year, $74 million deal. This move was bound to happen after Ball was dealt away.
Charlotte is currently $75 million below the luxury tax line, giving them flexibility to add pieces and fill out the roster more without reaching the luxury tax. The most important piece of this Ball trade is that the Hornets have a $40.8 million trade exception, the largest in NBA history.
MORE: How LaMelo Ball trade impacts Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Championship odds
This means that Charlotte can pursue some big names without eating into their salary, which would be especially important if Charlotte trades for a star player.
Hypothetical Jaylen Brown to Charlotte trade
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Mar 4, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball while Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Charlotte could go big fish hunting and target Boston Celtics’ forward Jaylen Brown. The Celtics are reportedly still shopping Jaylen Brown despite not landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a proposed deal around Brown.
Charlotte could center the deal around Miles Bridges, the Hornets’ uber-athletic forward. Bridges can also space the floor, as Boston loves to hoist their three up. This doesn’t come without some resources for the future.
Along with Bridges, Boston would receive forwards Grant Williams and Tijane Salün. The main reason the Celtics would make this trade is to acquire draft capital, and Charlotte has plenty of it.
The Hornets would also send three unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap. If the Hornets don’t get that done, they also could be a Ja Morant destination, but that’s not nearly as enticing as a Jaylen Brown deal.
Continue reading...
