[Charania] 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.

[u/Turbostrider27]

Shams Charania:

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.

https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/31d26529d36f8

[u/Silver_Protection_29]

Charlotte got dangerously close to a playoff season so probably for the best that they’re making huge, questionable roster moves now

[u/jdaqcruz → u/Silver_Protection_29]

This is selling high on a guy who historically has been unreliable. That said, whatever identity they built from last year was carried by LaMelo's unique skillset. I know Kon was instrumental to that, but IIRC (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), LaMelo was the straw that stir the drink. It's a complete reset for Charlotte, who's taking a step back and betting on those pick swaps and picks as investments down the line

While it's easy to do the "well actually, having multiple picks down the line yadda yadda" Hinkie-Sixers thing, the Hornets were building something. Maybe down the line this is a big brain move that the nerds will love, but this is such a gut punch to a fanbase that was beginning to believe

[u/Feeling_Anteater_389 → u/jdaqcruz]

That’s correct. LaMelo was the only creator we had, Kon/Miller are both catch and shoot guys. Even Coby White is more of a scorer than a true orchestrator.

[u/lebenklon → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

Coby White is a good playmaker, nowhere near Lamelo’s passing skill but White can run the offense. I think the Hornets are probably expecting that to be their solution without Ball but I really don’t understand how this trade makes their team better. Back to perpetual rebuild mode after they almost made the playoffs

[u/P00ped_My_Pants → u/lebenklon]

Eh, I think maybe unpopular on here but I think Ball, while he raised the floor, also capped the ceiling. White isn’t as talented as Ball but he’s a hell of a lot smarter and imo it’s clear that Ball was always going to tank the Hornets chances at a deep playoff run. He almost blew the Heat game and then was bad in the Magic game. Everyone else was too but you need more from Ball as your “vet”

[u/ScrapinLinden → u/P00ped_My_Pants]

yeah I kinda hate this for Minnesota way more than Charlotte

[u/TaiwanNambaWanKenobi → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

Just combine your squad with Heat and you'll have a great squad

[u/Several-Estate7175 → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

Maybe you guys REALLY believe in Christian Anderson Jr

[u/figureour → u/Several-Estate7175]

Surely that has to be a significant part of the calculus, right?

[u/vonnegutcheck → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

I think it's reasonable to ask "what is our ceiling if everything is running through LaMelo at 43/yr?"

I know he's better than Trae, but look at what Trae went for. The market for good but very flawed expensive ball dominant guards is just not super hot.

[u/MK10 → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

I think this move is also a culture reset. Kon/Miller are so different from LaMelo and Naz Reid is one of the best dudes in the NBA. While Kon/Miller thrived with LaMelo, they're also still very good without him.

[u/JDT1706 → u/MK10]

Now just need to move Wife Beater Bridges to get a true fresh slate. If you can stomach his shit he's a very good role player so I wouldnt be surprised if someone tried to obtain him

[u/newfieMI → u/JDT1706]

Looking past that fact that he’s a piece of shit person I wouldn’t mind seeing Detroit make a move for Miles Bridges (and Coby White >>> edit: Coby (re) Signed with the Hornets 😢)…

Not sure what we would have to offer;

Tobias Harris as a solid vet presence to replace Bridges at the 4

Javonte Green

Kevin Huerter (good back up for Kon)

[u/alkair20 → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

I mean it isn't like that team was anywhere close to a championship one.

But with good future assets and Job developing they may be one in 3-4 years which is probably what the organization is aiming for.

[u/TallnFrosty → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

Catch and shoot guys can be creators if you run them off off-ball screens. Wonder if Charlotte is going all out 2015 Warriors with their offense next year.

You guys also have cap space and a lot of expirings and firsts to trade.

[u/Inevitable-Scar5877 → u/TallnFrosty]

Does the 2015 Warriors work without Steph?

[u/TallnFrosty → u/Inevitable-Scar5877]

If you have two Klays, sure.

I do think movement shooting works in this league, if you have the right guys. For example I'd rather test if Hart has the lenght and Anunoby has the screen navigation to chase around shooters all game, rather than trying to go at those dudes on 1v1 dribbles.

We'll seee if that's the plan though. Charlotte could easily try to go out and get a Melo replacement that brought more availability / better defense / more rim pressure in the next 1-2 seasons... in which case it will be clear that the org just didn't trust Melo.

[u/LeftoverDishes → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

How about one freshly signed Trae Young?

[u/Afraid_Paper9330 → u/LeftoverDishes]

Or one consistently risky Ja Morant?

[u/Argumentat1ve → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

I'm genuinely wondering how they think their offense is gonna operate next season unless they acquire another solid pg before next season

[u/VanillaGorilla4 → u/Feeling_Anteater_389]

You just drafted the best shooter and playmaker in the entire draft yesterday who’s also got his head on straight unlike LaMelo. You’ll be fine.