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Timberwolves Acquire LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from Hornets
The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Naz Reid and multiple future draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green. The deal leaves Minnesota with reduced frontcourt depth after also parting with Julius Randle.
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The Hornets had already decided to move on from Ball after six seasons in which Charlotte posted a 139-164 record with him on the floor. Ball played 72 games last season but appeared in only 105 games across the prior three seasons.
Charlotte will retain draft assets and add Reid while building around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. Hornets coach Charles Lee attempted to integrate Ball into a team system, but Ball continued to take high-volume, low-percentage shots and commit turnovers.
In the Hornets' play-in loss to the Miami Heat, Ball scored 30 points on 31 shots, including 2-of-16 from three-point range. He also drew a $35,000 fine for pulling Bam Adebayo to the floor and a separate $25,000 fine for postgame language.
Minnesota now pairs Ball with Anthony Edwards but must address frontcourt depth after trading Reid and releasing Randle. Free agents Kyle Anderson, Mike Conley, and Bones Hyland remain unsigned, and the Timberwolves hold a team option on Terrance Shannon. Head coach Chris Finch will oversee the integration of Ball into the rotation.
