LaMelo Ball is taking his talents to the Midwest.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the All-Star guard, along with Josh Green, have been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and a series of draft picks. Ball will now be paired with Anthony “Ant Man” Edwards to comprise one of the most dynamic backcourts.
Additionally, the “Hornets will receive a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). Charlotte also gets first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029, and 2030.”
Along with the Timberwolves, the Toronto Raptors, and Portland Trail Blazers offered serious trade proposals for Ball’s services. Eventualy, the T-Wolves won out.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lkhXBWHCrA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
Ball, who is eligible to sign a two-year, $119.2 million extension on July 6, has three years left on his contract. He helped the Hornets win 44 games last season, doubling their 19 victories the season before
Last season, Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds and shot 36.8% from 3 in 72 games. Throughout his career, Ball has suffered numerous injuries playing “a total of 105 games from 2022-23 to 2024-25.”
Reid averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season and is a career 37.1% 3-point shooter. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024.
Selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Ball’s flashy transition vision and deep shooting range. He became the youngest player in NBA history at the time to record a triple-double. Ball would run way with the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Ball secured his first NBA All-Star nod in 2022, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite young floor generals. In the 2025 season, he became the second-youngest player in league history behind only LeBron James to reach the 1,000-point, 1,000-rebound, and 1,000-assist career milestones.
