Timberwolves acquire LaMelo Ball for Naz Reid and draft assets

sportsJun 25, 2026891,160

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired LaMelo Ball and Josh Green from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, first-round swap rights in 2028, 2029 and 2030, and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). LaMelo Ball will pair with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota’s backcourt while the Wolves lose Naz Reid, a long-running fan favorite and developmental success. Josh Green carries a $14.6 million expiring salary; Minnesota sits about $9.6 million below the league’s second apron with three roster spots to fill, creating an immediate need for a starting power forward and roster additions.

Shams Charania Tweets

@shamsbot.bsky.social

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.

825h ago

J. Samuels46

The timberwolves trading Naz is actually insane

disfiguredmedia.bsky.social13

TC might need to find a new job. Unless Rudy is on the move next for 2-3 playable bigs, this is absolute ass. Naz Reid is a cult hero in Minnesota. All that for a guy who plays like he has AirPods in and is a risk to public safety on the roads??

coachjet.bsky.social7

Not a fan. All that for Ball? He has only played over 55 games twice in his career. Shot selection is crazy sometimes. Defense is questionable. For Naz and all of those picks? I'm convinced Tim Connelly is terrified of the draft. Now they need a 4 as well. I want to be optimistic, but damn.

Lance Hartzler2

LaMelo Ball seeing the gas peddle when he hops in his Lamborghini

Aaron Gleeman

@aarongleeman.bsky.social

I'm really going to miss Naz Reid. Few players in Wolves history have been more fun to watch and easier to root for. He's a developmental success story, but waiting this long for a chance to start only to be traded days after seemingly getting it is a bummer ending. Two words.

1153h ago

Big Baller Brandon

@brandonbeck4.bsky.social

Naz Reid finishes his Wolves career as the all time leader in Naz Reid Games with 60

954h ago

A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall2

That record will stand a long time.

RandBall’s Stu

@randballsstu.bsky.social

How to Talk to Your Children About the Naz Reid Trade

713h ago

Jake Schwitzer3

but seriously. my 8 year old is going to be despondent.

nice marmot2

I texted my daughter earlier

functional moron

@fiveburger.bsky.social

here’s what i will say- from an objective, basketball quality standpoint, it is pretty insane to turn naz reid into lamelo ball

604h ago

functional moron22

i love naz reid and i hope he will continue to develop and have all the success in the world but we just upgraded several tiers of player quality at a position we desperately need

Jared2

I feel like it will take about 5 games for everyone to get on board with this. It's going to rule.

Vanji2

Naz is forever Minnesota but getting Lamelo for him and basically 1 first rounder and 3 seconds is a no brainer

metal5120.bsky.social2

My other thought is that Naz might have some injury concerns that factored into the decision. I love Naz and it was rough late in the season when he was hurt.

KeithSmithNBA

@keithsmithnba.bsky.social

If the Minnesota Timberwolves trade for LaMelo Ball, keep an eye on the three-team trade that the Wolves agreed to with the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls becoming an expanded trade to include the Charlotte Hornets. 1/2

3814h ago

KeithSmithNBA25

That would allow Minnesota to use Julius Randle and the outgoing salary-match (he'd still end up Brooklyn). Would need other pieces involved too but could work for the teams involved. 2/2

Robby Kalland

@rkalland.bsky.social

Who will be brave enough to do a winners and losers of the LaMelo Ball trade and include "drivers in the Twin Cities" in the losers column?

434h ago

pete rogers, professional diaper changer

@petemrogers.bsky.social

doing an entire franchise rebrand photoshoot with naz reid only to trade him weeks later certainly a choice

374h ago

Appel Corps4

Next jersey idea is just Lamelo accidentally hitting a wolf with his car, yeah?

SHOEGAZE COMMANDO

@bornwithatail.bsky.social

I don’t want to get all political but trading Naz Reid away from Minnesota is unconstitutional

323h ago

assbutt

@nasboat.org

getting rid of Naz Reid to bring in LaMelo Ball is a vibe downgrade of the highest order

294h ago

pierremcmanus.bsky.social2

ant is gonna strangle him at mid court by thanksgiving

Murphy Murph2

I’m sure LaMelo and icy roads won’t be a problem at all.

Chris Hine

@christopherhine.bsky.social

Hi folks, we are covering the LaMelo Ball-Naz Reid trade in live blog form over at the Star Tribune. Our whole staff is going to be pitching in throughout the day. Check it out: www.startribune.com/lamelo-ball-...

252h ago

Ryan Eichten

@reichten.bsky.social

Here's where the Wolves salary cap sits after the LaMelo Ball trade If Isaiah Evans gets the $1.3 rookie minimum, the Wolves are $9.6 million under the 2nd apron with 3 roster spots to fill Wolves could try to re-route Josh Green's $14.6 million expiring as they need a starting power forward

234h ago

A.W. Basil3

They now need 2 PFs & I'm not counting SloMo on the vet minimum as anything close to a solution.

Jared2

I've always thought Jaden would be best suited at the 4 but we definitely need another power forward either way

Keith Parish

@fastbreakbreak.bsky.social

condolences to the timberwolves family, i can't imagine what losing naz reid is like

244h ago

Mike Vorkunov

@mikevorkunov.bsky.social

LaMelo Ball and Josh Green are going to the Wolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected 1st round pick, swaps in 2028, 2029, and 2030, and 3 second round picks, a league source confirmed. Shams was first on it. A huge swing for both teams.

194h ago

That Nuggets Nation

@nuggets-nation.bsky.social

Well the Wolves traded Naz Reid so that's a huge win for the Nuggets.

154h ago

1 source

sportsnet.caReport: Hornets trading LaMelo Ball to Timberwolves for Naz Reid, picks

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Timberwolves acquire LaMelo Ball for Naz Reid and draft assets

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