Hornets Ship LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves in Major Draft-Pick Package
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The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to send LaMelo Ball and wing Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday night.
Charlotte will receive center Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, first-round swap rights in 2028, 2029 and 2030, and second-round selections in 2029, 2032 and 2033, according to the report.
The trade is expected to be incorporated into Minnesota’s previously reported multi-team deal that moves Julius Randle to the Nets and Bulls for salary-matching purposes, meaning the Ball transaction will be finalized after the new league year opens in July.
Ball’s Recent Form
Ball, 24, captured NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and was an All-Star in 2022. Ankle problems limited him to 105 regular-season games from 2022-25, but he appeared in 72 contests in 2025-26, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes. His play helped Charlotte close the season 28-10 and secure a play-in berth.
Timberwolves’ Roster Shake-Up
President of basketball operations Tim Connelly and head coach Chris Finch have long targeted Ball, believing his passing vision and high-volume three-point shooting complement star guard Anthony Edwards. Minnesota now pairs the first and third overall picks from the 2020 draft while addressing a point-guard spot that proved troublesome last season. Veteran Mike Conley reduced his workload, rookie Rob Dillingham struggled to develop, and emergency starter Donte DiVincenzo tore an Achilles in the playoffs and is expected to miss most or all of 2026-27.
Charlotte’s decision to part with Ball follows reports that several clubs, including Minnesota and Toronto, pursued the guard even though he was said to be content in Charlotte and the Hornets were not actively shopping him.
More details are expected once the trade becomes official in July.
Source: Hoops Rumors
