Hornets trade LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Timberwolves for Naz Reid and draft picks

The Charlotte Hornets are trading guard LaMelo Ball and forward Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for center Naz Reid and a package of future draft picks, sources told ESPN. In addition to Reid, Charlotte will receive an unprotected 2033 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033. The Hornets also acquire first-round pick swap rights in 2028, 2029 and 2030.

Background on the deal The Hornets received multiple aggressive offers for Ball in recent days. The Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers were among the teams pursuing the point guard. Ball had been content in Charlotte after the team posted a 44-38 record last season, ending a postseason drought that dated to 2016. The club finished one play-in win short of the playoffs.

Player performance and contract details Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 36.8 percent from three-point range in 72 games. He has three years remaining on his contract and can sign a two-year, $119.2 million extension beginning July 6.

Reid, 26, averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season and shot 37.1 percent from three. He was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 2024.

Team outlook after the trade The Timberwolves will pair Ball with guard Anthony Edwards and forward Jaden McDaniels. All three players are under contract through the 2028-29 season. Charlotte is expected to re-sign guard Coby White to a three-year, $74 million contract.

White averaged 15.6 points in 21 games after arriving from another team at the February trade deadline. Forward Brandon Miller averaged a team-high 20.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 65 games. Rookie forward Kon Knueppel finished second in Rookie of the Year voting after leading the league in three-pointers made among first-year players.