Charlotte, N.C. — The Hornets’ trade sending LaMelo Ball and Naz Reid to Charlotte is expected to be formally completed on Friday, league sources told The Charlotte Observer. For salary-matching purposes, the agreement will be folded into Minnesota’s separate three-team swap that moves Julius Randle to the Timberwolves and involves the Nets and Bulls, creating a single four-team transaction.
Suns Waiting on Bridges Pick to Finish Offseason Plan
Phoenix has placed its major offseason business on hold until the Charlotte–Minnesota deal closes. A draft pick the Suns are acquiring from the Hornets in the Miles Bridges trade is tied to the selection Charlotte will receive from the Timberwolves. According to Arizona Sports 98.7, the Suns expect to finalize both the Bridges trade and the signing of free-agent guard Luke Kennard early next week.
Kennard’s deal requires the taxpayer mid-level exception, which hard-caps Phoenix at the second tax apron. The Suns cannot fit the contract on their books until Royce O’Neale’s and Grayson Allen’s combined $29 million salaries are replaced by Bridges’ $22.8 million figure.
Restricted Free Agent Spencer Jones Fielding Offers
Nuggets forward Spencer Jones said in a social-media video that his agent “is talking to teams besides Denver” while he considers offers. During the recording, Jones noted that each day “could be the very last time” he walks into the Nuggets’ practice facility. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News reports that Minnesota has expressed interest but is unlikely to create sufficient cap room to sign him.
Clippers–Raptors Kawhi Leonard Trade on Hold
The Clippers spent several weeks gauging the market for Kawhi Leonard before reaching a tentative agreement with Toronto, according to The Stein Line. Los Angeles believed the NBA’s ongoing Aspiration investigation would not affect a transaction. However, when the clubs scheduled a trade call, league officials informed the Raptors they would assume any penalties levied against Leonard, separate from possible sanctions facing the Clippers. Toronto then decided to delay final approval, though both franchises remain optimistic the deal will eventually proceed.
Other Storylines Still in Play
ESPN’s Bobby Marks highlighted 10 unresolved offseason issues, including how LeBron James’ free agency is influencing teams and players, the most notable restricted and unrestricted free agents still available, extension possibilities, and which clubs still have open roster spots.
The situation across the league remains fluid as teams juggle trade logistics, cap restrictions, and pending investigations while attempting to finalize their summer rosters.
Source: Hoops Rumors
