NBA: Charlotte Hornets trade LaMelo Ball, Josh Green to Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a series of draft picks
LaMelo Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game last season; the 24-year-old was an All-Star in 2022; deal for Ball to join the Minnesota Timberwolves also includes a number of draft picks for the Charlotte Hornets, including 2033 unprotected first-round selection
Thursday 25 June 2026 17:35, UK
The Charlotte Hornets have reportedly agreed to trade guards LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for power forward Naz Reid and a series of draft picks.
ESPN reported that in addition to Reid, the Hornets will receive a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick, three second-round picks (2029, 2032 and 2033) and a trio of first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029 and 2030).
Ball, an All-Star in 2022, has battled ankle and foot injuries during his career but managed 72 games last season, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
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The 24-year-old helped the Hornets win 44 games last season - they managed only 19 victories the year before - as they narrowly missed out on the playoffs.
Ball had three years left on a franchise-record, five-year, $203.9m-designated rookie contract.
ESPN reported that Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers were also pursuing Ball.
Reid, 26, has spent seven seasons with the Timberwolves, averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season.
The Hornets are also expected to re-sign unrestricted free agent Coby White as their starting point guard.
White averaged 15.6 points and three assists per game while shooting 39.1 per cent from three-point range for the Hornets last term after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.
