Timberwolves Acquire Hornets LaMelo Ball in Exchange for Naz Reid and First-Second Round Picks
They made to the postseason but were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs. Now the Minnesota franchise aims to get stronger in order to contend in the highly competitive Western Conference. On Thursday Minnesota dropped a blockbuster on basketball fans. The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball in exchange for Naz Reid, a first round pick, three first round pick swaps and three second round picks.
This move by Charlotte could seem quite surprising at first glance. The organization had a youthful core that turned in quite the performance after the All-Star break. Basically winning every game and giving themselves a real shot at playoffs.
However, the franchise has decided to pivot. Selling high on one of their star players. Nevertheless, on the Timberwolves side they could not be more elated. Ball has been high up on their radar for some time. According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski,
The Wolves have been trying to get LaMelo Ball for two years. They paid a price with Naz, but there is elation throughout the building about pairing Melo and Anthony Edwards.
The Wolves did have discussions with the Celtics on Jaylen Brown as well, sources told The Athletic. But they saw LaMelo Ball as fitting more of what they needed, for likely less compensation going out.
“He’s going to make everybody better. That was the thing that was missing.” — Wolves source on the addition of LaMelo Ball.
Say whatever you want about LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. To me, the biggest take-away is this: This organization is always going for it. No matter what.
The Wolves do still have other moves in the works. They need a power forward and they need more shooting. I am told that they are not trading Donte DiVincenzo. The work continues.”
Timberwolves Acquire Hornets LaMelo Ball in Exchange for Naz Reid and First-Second Round Picks
ESPN’s Shams Charania broke down what it cost the Wolves in order to acquire LaMelo Ball. Charania reports,
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.
The Timberwolves send a haul to the Hornets for a star-studded new backcourt in Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball — the Nos. 1 and 3 picks in 2020. Charlotte didn’t shop Ball in the market, but listened and received multiple rich offers before filling a significant need in the frontcourt with Reid.
Timberwolves co-owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez enter the luxury tax for the third straight year — and the franchise makes a big move to fill the point guard spot.
Through all the frenzy, Timberwolves and Raptors emerged as two of the teams with trade interest in Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball. But Minnesota would be the ones to get the job done. Interestingly, the Boston Celtics are “actively engaged” in trade talks surrounding Jaylen Brown with multiple interested teams. According to sports anchor Mike Lacett, “the Hornets are one of these teams.”
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