After the Charlotte Hornets became one of the hottest teams in the entire NBA last year, it seemed like it could be the start of something new for the franchise.
However, the organization has decided to go in a different direction, trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster trade that stunned the NBA world on Thursday morning.
LaMelo Ball Joins Anthony Edwards on Timberwolves
Part of the same draft class, Ball and Anthony Edwards have gone on completely different trajectories while both having undeniable talent.
The Timberwolves had been searching for a point-guard upgrade this offseason after losing Donte DiVincenzo to injury and with Mike Conley nearing the end of his NBA career. Julius Randle led the team in assists over the last two seasons, with averages of 4.7 and 5.0 in 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively. That isn’t sustainable for a modern offense, and the Timberwolves ultimately traded Randle as well to free up the cap space for this move.
Now, Minnesota adds the polarizing Ball, who averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game on 40.7/36.8/89.9 shooting splits last season. ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed the exact details of the transaction.
“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,” Charania posted.
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
NBA Draft analyst Nathan Grubel believes the deal was a net positive for Minnesota.
“Have to be honest: Great value for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Didn’t give up anything of major consequence to bring in one of the most talented guards in the NBA. That’s actually pretty awesome work,” Grubel wrote.
He wasn’t the only one, though, as Minnesota Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman wrote, “Genuinely shocked by this, but also this might be only the third-most shocking trade of the Tim Connelly era. What a wild time to be Wolves fan.”
Genuinely shocked by this, but also this might be only the third-most shocking trade of the Tim Connelly era. What a wild time to be Wolves fan.https://t.co/jTYNwVh3xK
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 25, 2026
Basketball University thinks this trade says a lot about how the Hornets really felt about Ball.
“Hornets must have thought VERY lowly of LaMelo’s ability to be the building block of the franchise,” they wrote. “Either leadership-wise, the medicals, or both. Feels like an insider trading deal, shipping him out the moment he had regained value. One unprotected + Naz feels real light though.
“Don’t hate the concept of trading LaMelo given personality/medical questions. Obvious ‘trade high’ moment before you end up with a Ja situation where you may have to attach stuff to trade him. But the return feels yucky for a guy who has shown elite offensive engine capabilities.”
However, the obvious issues that come with a Ball-Edwards pairing weren’t lost on anyone. As one New York Knicks influencer joked, “LaMelo and Ant is gonna be a crazy test of whether talent or maturity matters more.”
Mark Gurman added, “Edwards will demand a trade in a year.”
However, as two of the most exciting players to watch in the league, with their combination of dribbling prowess, athleticism, and the aerial wonders, podcaster Kazeem Famuyide chimed in, “About to be the most viral backcourt in the league lol.”
About to be the most viral backcourt in the league lol https://t.co/waeu01Qo1F
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) June 25, 2026
“A LaMelo-Ant backcourt is going to be astounding to witness,” added TheScore’s Jonathan Soveta.
Given their reputations and highlight reels, it’s hard to argue. The Timberwolves have completely reshaped their roster, moving on from Randle and Reid. Their play style will change significantly, and this is a gamble on their talented backcourt.
As for the Hornets, they will be handing the keys of the franchise over to talented sophomore Kon Knueppel, who now becomes the face of the franchise.
