The LaMelo Ball era in Charlotte is over.
Ball, 24, a former Rookie of the Year and one-time All-Star, reportedly has been sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with Josh Green, for a draft-pick-oriented package.
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Charlotte, in return, acquired Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round selection, pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, as well as three second-round selections in 2029, 2032 and 2033.
This is an interesting turn of events, especially after the Hornets finally found an offensive rhythm with Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller this past season.
Let’s break it all down.
Pivoting away from Ball could suggest that the Hornets are going to re-sign point guard Coby White, whom they acquired from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline in February.
Ball, despite his somewhat solid resume, had issues in Charlotte. His health has routinely been a problem, averaging 51 games a season and topping 70 games twice in six seasons. He also averaged the fewest minutes (28) of his career last season, perhaps in an attempt to keep him healthy. His on-court decision-making and questionable behavior off the floor, which includes a pattern of reckless driving, were also concerns for Charlotte.
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The Hornets just drafted Texas Tech PG Christian Anderson, who can step into a big-minutes role after averaging over 18 points and seven assists last season.
And let’s not forget, Reid, a former Sixth Man of the Year, is a nice player. Versatile, durable 6-foot-9 threats who can shoot 37.1% from long range don’t grow on trees.
Overall, this seems like a reasonable time for the Hornets to pivot and sell high, right on the heels of what was a solid season for Ball that ended in the play-in tournament.
Trade grade: A
Minnesota Timberwolves: What’s going on?
Minnesota now finds itself in a curious situation. It just unloaded Julius Randle, which indirectly helped facilitate this deal. On the surface, that’s fine. But they also gave Ayo Dosunmu $112 million over five years, which means they’re now paying big money to Ball, Dosunmu, and superstar Anthony Edwards — all of whom are guards.
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By relinquishing Reid, the Wolves also lost yet another interior piece, raising questions of what they’re going to do now.
(The answer isn’t “more Rudy Gobert minutes.”)
Surely, there are more moves coming. Because right now, the Wolves’ roster is lacking balance and logic. If they go into next season with this iteration, questions will likely be raised as to whether Edwards has interest in sticking around.
Also worth tracking will be the on-court fit between Edwards and Ball, which could go very, very right … just as it could go enormously wrong due to their different styles.
We’ll have to see how Minnesota wraps up its summer, but in isolation this seems like a weird fit, even if Ball is an enormous talent.
Trade grade: C (subject to change)
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