Breaking news! Hornets and Timberwolves agree to a 2-for-8 trade, with LaMelo Ball joining Anthony Edwards to chase championship.

Per Shams, on June 25 (Beijing time), the Charlotte Hornets traded away star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green, receiving from Minnesota Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-rounder, three first-round swap rights (2028, 2029, 2030), and three second-round selections (2029, 2032, 2033).

LaMelo Ball, born in 2001, was selected third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. He is the Hornets' starting point guard, standing 2.01 meters tall. In his career, he averages 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, with a 36.8% three-point percentage. Known for elite passing vision, he excels in transition and pick-and-roll scoring. As the centerpiece of Charlotte’s rebuild, he has three years and $130.8 million remaining on his contract. His main weakness is an injury history, but when healthy he is an All-Star caliber player. This season he led the team to top-five performances on both ends and is considered one of the new generation's primary ball handlers.

Naz Reid is a Timberwolves backup big man who went undrafted in 2019. Standing 2.06 meters, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year. His career averages are 11.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, with strong finishing at the rim and outside shooting, making him a classic stretch big. He provides efficient scoring off the bench and can play both center and small-ball power forward. With a team-friendly contract, Reid will immediately bolster Charlotte's frontcourt rotation and fill a roster gap.

Josh Green is a swingman selected 18th overall in the 2020 draft. Currently with the Hornets, he stands 1.98 meters. He has career averages of 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds, with reliable three-point shooting—his three-point percentage last season was 42%. A prototypical 3-and-D role player, he plays solid defense and doesn't need the ball. His athleticism and off-ball movement make him an ideal complementary piece for Minnesota, helping to create space for Anthony Edwards.

In this deal, the Timberwolves acquire a primary ball handler in LaMelo Ball plus a quality 3-and-D wing in Josh Green, significantly upgrading their backcourt. The Hornets shed a long-term high-salary contract, obtaining an immediate-impact big in Reid along with a haul of future draft picks, fully committing to a rebuild. With Ball's arrival, Minnesota transforms from a playoff contender to a championship favorite, as their backcourt playmaking weakness is now perfectly addressed.