Timberwolves land LaMelo Ball in blockbuster trade
(Hornets continue in their rebuilding/reloading zone, and not sure if this sets them back 2-3 years or not, but now others on the Hornets, who Ball might have been holding back, they can now step up, and move very much forward in their positive progress…Need to re-sign Coby White, because he is instant offense off of the bench, or you may even want to consider starting him now…Time now for Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Kon, and others to take the ball, and run with it.)
**********Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t be the only big name switching teams this offseason.**********
from Ernesto Cova, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Charlotte Hornets have moved on from LaMelo Ball.
The former lottery pick was reportedly happy in Charlotte, but the Hornets apparently were willing to let him go at the right price.
That’s why the Minnesota Timberwolves swooped in with an absolute king’s ransom to get their hands on him.
Timberwolves break the bank for LaMelo Ball
“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,” Charania wrote on X.
Ball is one of the most electrifying scorers and playmakers in the game. He was the No. 3 pick in 2020, the same year the Timberwolves took Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick, so they’ve already done their due diligence and extensive research on him.
He averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists in 72 games last season, finally staying healthy and leading the Hornets to the Play-In Tournament.
As for the Timberwolves, they just moved on from Julius Randle, so they can certainly use someone to pick up some of the scoring slack and take pressure off Edwards’ shoulders.
Defense and availability might be concerns with the younger Ball brother, but his arrival in Minnesota might propel Chris Finch’s team to championship contention, not to mention make them must-watch television.