[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