Report: Hornets to send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Timberwolves for Naz Reid and draft assets

The Charlotte Hornets are reportedly working on a blockbuster trade that would send LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid and multiple draft picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania as relayed by Yahoo Sports. The report also describes a draft-pick swap involving second-round selections, with Charlotte set to add additional picks in the deal.

If completed as described, the trade would be a significant roster pivot for both franchises. For Minnesota, the core need has centered on upgrading the on-ball creation and half-court shot-making that typically falls to a top-tier lead guard. Ball’s profile as a high-usage passer and creator would give the Timberwolves another primary offense engine alongside their existing frontcourt identity.

For Charlotte, moving Ball would represent a major shift in direction, since he has been the face of the Hornets’ offense and a central element of their long-term planning. The return package, led by Naz Reid, points to Charlotte’s interest in adding size and scoring versatility in the frontcourt, while the additional draft capital would give the team flexibility to rebuild or retool through future rookie classes.

The report’s mechanics also suggest that teams are using the draft market as a balancing tool. Yahoo’s summary states that the clubs would swap three second-round draft picks, with the Hornets adding four selections overall. That kind of structure typically indicates that at least one side is packaging pick value to offset differences in player valuation or contract timing.

Naz Reid, as the player named on the Timberwolves’ side of the incoming package for Charlotte, would likely be expected to provide immediate minutes and scoring in the paint and around the perimeter, depending on how Minnesota’s coaching staff deploys him. Reid’s fit matters because the Timberwolves already emphasize spacing and ball movement, and a versatile forward-center can help sustain offensive efficiency when their primary scoring options are off the ball.

For now, the deal should be treated as unconfirmed because it is being reported as a forthcoming transaction rather than an official league release. The NBA trade deadline and offseason transaction environment often includes multiple moving parts, including medicals, agreement on pick protections, and final paperwork.

What to watch next is confirmation from the Hornets or Timberwolves communications channels, plus any subsequent reporting on the exact pick years and protections involved in the second-round swap described in the report. Once finalized, the implications will extend beyond just personnel, because the Timberwolves would be positioning their backcourt around Ball while Charlotte would be using the added picks to address talent gaps through the draft.