The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Hornets received Naz Reid along with substantial draft assets. The deal was completed on Thursday.
The Timberwolves sent Naz Reid, a 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps from 2028 to 2030, and three second-round picks to Charlotte. Ball, who played a career-high 72 games last season and averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists, joins Anthony Edwards in Minnesota.
Tim Connelly, Minnesota's director of basketball operations, has a history of aggressive moves, including the Rudy Gobert trade in 2022. The Wolves reached the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons before this offseason overhaul that also involved moving Julius Randle.
For the Hornets, the move allows them to build around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel while gaining flexibility and assets. Ball had three years and more than $130 million left on his contract at the time of the deal.
The trade adds playmaking to Minnesota's roster but carries risk given Ball's prior injury history. Charlotte receives a stretch-shooting big in Reid to bolster its frontcourt.