LaMelo Ball today: Blockbuster trade sends Hornets star to Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have pulled off a massive offseason roster shake-up by acquiring former All-Star guard LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Naz Reid and a large package of draft capital. This dramatic move unites Ball with superstar wing Anthony Edwards, completely reshaping Minnesota's backcourt into one of the most explosive young pairings in the NBA.

The Full Story

The blockbuster trade materialized rapidly after a flurry of reports confirmed Minnesota's intense pursuit of the 24-year-old playmaker. The deal sends Ball and guard Josh Green to the Timberwolves. In return, the Hornets secure reigning Kia Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps spanning 2028, 2029, and 2030, alongside three second-round draft picks scheduled for 2029, 2032, and 2033.

Minnesota's front office, led by Tim Connelly, pushed aggressively for a premium co-star to pair alongside Anthony Edwards following consecutive Western Conference Finals exits in 2024 and 2025 and a second-round exit against the San Antonio Spurs this past season. To facilitate this transformation, the Timberwolves laid the groundwork earlier in the week by trading forward Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets to clear financial flexibility, while simultaneously locking in guard Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract extension.

Charlotte initially did not shop their franchise point guard, who has three years remaining on a $203.9 million designated rookie contract, but listened when aggressive bidders emerged. The Hornets opted to sell high on Ball following a strong bounce-back season where he helped guide Charlotte to a 44-38 record and their first postseason game victory since 2016 during the Play-In Tournament against Miami.

Minnesota stubbornly refused to include perimeter defensive ace Jaden McDaniels, who remains under a five-year, $131 million contract, or veteran guard Donte DiVincenzo, who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Ultimately, parting with Reid became the price necessary to secure Ball's dynamic playmaking ability and elite perimeter shooting.

Who's Involved

• LaMelo Ball: The 24-year-old former All-Star guard who moves to Minnesota to anchor their new-look offense.
• Anthony Edwards: Minnesota's franchise cornerstone, who will now form a potent backcourt partnership with Ball.
• Naz Reid: The former Kia Sixth Man of the Year winner who heads to Charlotte as the center-piece player return.
• Josh Green: Guard traded alongside Ball to the Timberwolves.
• Tim Connelly: Minnesota's aggressive President of Basketball Operations who orchestrated the star pursuit.
• Charles Lee: Charlotte Hornets head coach who recently received a contract extension.

By the Numbers

The immense scale of this trade is reflected in the statistical profiles of the players and the draft assets involved:

• 20.1: Points per game averaged by LaMelo Ball last season over 72 appearances for Charlotte, alongside 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds.
• 272: Made three-pointers by Ball last season, ranking number two across the entire NBA on 36.8% shooting from deep.
• 13.6: Points per game averaged by Naz Reid during the 2025-26 regular season, accompanying 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest.
• 7: Total draft assets acquired by Charlotte, consisting of 1 unprotected first-round pick, 3 first-round pick swaps, and 3 second-round draft selections.
• 141: Regular season games missed by Ball due to persistent right ankle issues over a three-season stretch between 2022 and 2025.

What This Means

This trade represents a high-risk, high-reward gamble for Minnesota as they attempt to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in a brutal Western Conference. Ball provides a legitimate, elite tier playmaker that the franchise has lacked during its playoff window, allowing a aging Mike Conley Jr. to move into a reduced role. While Ball's historical defensive deficiencies and ankle injuries present clear risks, his offensive ceiling gives the Timberwolves a devastating perimeter trio alongside Edwards and Dosunmu, with four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert anchoring the interior defense.

For basketball fans in AU, this trade shifts the balance of power in the West and directly impacts Australian national team swingman Josh Green, who finds himself moving from Charlotte to a legitimate championship contender in Minnesota. For Charlotte, adding Reid aligns perfectly with their young core of Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, giving them a high-volume shooting big man while stocking their cabinet with draft picks for long-term roster construction.

What to Expect

The initial roster moves surrounding this deal will stall slightly as the earlier Julius Randle trade to the Brooklyn Nets cannot be officially finalized by the league until July 6. Roster building will continue through NBA free agency as Minnesota looks to fill out its bench using their $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception. Meanwhile, Ball will begin his integration under head coach Chris Finch ahead of training camp, while Reid takes on an expanded starting frontcourt role under Charles Lee in Charlotte.

FAQ

Why did the Charlotte Hornets trade LaMelo Ball?

While Ball enjoyed a healthy 72-game season last year, persistent ankle issues caused him to miss 141 games over the prior three seasons. With multi-year max contract obligations looming and alternative backcourt options available, Charlotte opted to sell high to gain long-term draft assets and frontline versatility with Naz Reid.Who did the Minnesota Timberwolves give up for LaMelo Ball?

The Timberwolves traded elite reserve big man Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029, and 2030, and three second-round picks scheduled for 2029, 2032, and 2033.

Is Jaden McDaniels part of the LaMelo Ball trade package?

No, the Timberwolves explicitly designated perimeter defensive specialist Jaden McDaniels as completely unavailable in trade talks. He remains locked into his five-year contract with Minnesota.

How does this trade affect the Minnesota Timberwolves' starting lineup?

The acquisition allows Minnesota to deploy a highly potent backcourt featuring LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and Ayo Dosunmu, while maintaining elite interior defense with veteran center Rudy Gobert inside.