{"id":123846,"date":"2026-06-25T14:33:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/nba-trades-grading-the-jaw-dropping-lamelo-ball-hornets-and-wolves-trade\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T14:33:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:33:13","slug":"nba-trades-grading-the-jaw-dropping-lamelo-ball-hornets-and-wolves-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/nba-trades-grading-the-jaw-dropping-lamelo-ball-hornets-and-wolves-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Trades: Grading the jaw-dropping Lamelo Ball Hornets and Wolves trade"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div on-document:qinit=\"q-Cpuv5YVv.js#_hW[0]\" q:key=\"QW_9\" q:id=\"9u\"><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=9v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>In what may be the most shocking NBA trade of the year, the Charlotte Hornets just sent Lamelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that includes Naz Reid. The move has massive ramifications for both teams as well as the NBA. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=9w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9x\">In what may be the most shocking NBA trade of the year, the Charlotte Hornets just sent Lamelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that includes Naz Reid. The move has massive ramifications for both teams as well as the NBA. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=9y q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/x.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/2070135940530446339--><!--qv q:id=9z q:key=YFn6:mL_1--><\/p>\n<figure on:qvisible=\"q-4okB550L.js#_hW[0]\" q:key=\"HU_0\" q:id=\"a0\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Timberwolves send a haul to the Hornets for a star-studded new backcourt in Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball &#8212; the Nos. 1 and 3 picks in 2020. Charlotte didn&#8217;t shop Ball in the market, but listened and received multiple rich offers before filling a significant need in the\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zVKBB1B7hC\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/t.co\/zVKBB1B7hC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/2070135940530446339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\">June 25, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=a1 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Hornets were finally looking like they were building a strong playoff team, only for them to trade Ball for Reid and picks. Let&#39;s take a look and see who won the trade.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=a2 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a3\">The Hornets were finally looking like they were building a strong playoff team, only for them to trade Ball for Reid and picks. Let&#8217;s take a look and see who won the trade.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=a4 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>The Hornets stun the NBA by trading LaMelo Ball<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=a5 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a6\">The Hornets stun the NBA by trading LaMelo Ball<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=a7 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Hornets moving Ball now seems like an odd time. At one point, they were the second-hottest team in the NBA last season. With a full season, they might have been a legit playoff team. Now, they lose Ball; granted, they get Reid, who is a fantastic power forward who will help at a position of weakness.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=a8 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a9\">The Hornets moving Ball now seems like an odd time. At one point, they were the second-hottest team in the NBA last season. With a full season, they might have been a legit playoff team. Now, they lose Ball; granted, they get Reid, who is a fantastic power forward who will help at a position of weakness.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=aa q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>They did get a future first, three pick swaps, and 3 seconds. But if the Wolves are any good during the next four seasons, those pick swaps are completely useless. The Wolves seem like they will be a playoff team for the foreseeable future, so it&#39;s hard to call those pick swaps assets.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ab q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ac\">They did get a future first, three pick swaps, and 3 seconds. But if the Wolves are any good during the next four seasons, those pick swaps are completely useless. The Wolves seem like they will be a playoff team for the foreseeable future, so it&#8217;s hard to call those pick swaps assets.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=ad q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Simply put, there isn&#39;t enough value here for the Wolves. Even if their rationale is that Reid is 85% of Ball&#39;s value, the picks still don&#39;t make the trade equal for the Hornets. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ae q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"af\">Simply put, there isn&#8217;t enough value here for the Wolves. Even if their rationale is that Reid is 85% of Ball&#8217;s value, the picks still don&#8217;t make the trade equal for the Hornets. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=ag q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p><strong>Trade Grade: D-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ah q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ai\"><strong>Trade Grade: D-<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=aj q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>The Timberwolves shockingly land a Anthony Edwards co-star in Ball<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=ak q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"al\">The Timberwolves shockingly land a Anthony Edwards co-star in Ball<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=am q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Despite giving up an unprotected first, three pick swaps, and three seconds, as well as Reid, it&#39;s hard to say the Wolves didn&#39;t win the deal. 24 hours ago, no one expected them to land an Anthony Edwards co-star, but they now have one in Ball.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=an q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ao\">Despite giving up an unprotected first, three pick swaps, and three seconds, as well as Reid, it&#8217;s hard to say the Wolves didn&#8217;t win the deal. 24 hours ago, no one expected them to land an Anthony Edwards co-star, but they now have one in Ball.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=ap q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Not only that but they just solved their point guard problem. Their presumed starting lineup now includes Ball, Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Nic Claxton, and Rudy Gobert. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=aq q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ar\">Not only that but they just solved their point guard problem. Their presumed starting lineup now includes Ball, Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Nic Claxton, and Rudy Gobert. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=as q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>However, they may now look to move Gobert or Claxton for a power forward who can space the floor. Still, their roster suddenly looks much better with Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, the recently re-signed Ayo Dosunmu, and Donte DiVincenzo when he returns from injury.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=at q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"au\">However, they may now look to move Gobert or Claxton for a power forward who can space the floor. Still, their roster suddenly looks much better with Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, the recently re-signed Ayo Dosunmu, and Donte DiVincenzo when he returns from injury.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=av q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Going from being less big-man-centric to more perimeter-oriented is a wise move and is reflected in their trade grade. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=aw q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ax\">Going from being less big-man-centric to more perimeter-oriented is a wise move and is reflected in their trade grade. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=ay q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p><strong>Trade Grade: A<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=az q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b0\"><strong>Trade Grade: A<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_6--><!--qv q:id=b1 q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/content-enrichment-service.mmsport.minutesvc.com\/oembed?url=https:\/\/content-enrichment-service.mmsport.minutesvc.com\/properties\/307\/embeds\/01ht59sq2gfqs1s--><!--qv q:id=b2 q:key=jBas:mL_1--><\/p>\n<figure on-document:load=\"q-DAPlvtiX.js#s_LZBLIxdhCWU[0 1]\" q:key=\"S2_2\" q:id=\"b3\"\/><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:id=b4 q:key=1jXG:QW_7--><!--qv q:id=b5 q:key=9yVI:Ef_0--><\/p>\n<div on:click=\"q-PR6RmUkK.js#s_Ytib2zHV0Tc[0 1]\" q:key=\"WY_1\" q:id=\"b6\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=b5 q:key=--><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"google-news-widget\" class=\"voltax-google-preferred-source my-5 p-4 flex items-center gap-4 rounded-lg bg-[#F0F0F0]\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-3\"><span class=\"font-group-big text-black text-[16px]\">Add us as a preferred source on <span class=\"font-bold\">Google<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><a aria-label=\"Follow hoopshabit.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=hoopshabit.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\"><span class=\"hidden pt-[1px] leading-[1.4] md:inline\">Follow<\/span><svg viewbox=\"0 0 4 8\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"h-[12px] w-[6px] md:h-[8px] md:w-[4px]\"><path d=\"M0.5 0.5L3.5 4L0.5 7.5\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hoopshabit.com\/nba-trades-grading-jaw-dropping-lamelo-ball-hornets-wolves-trade?utm_source=RSS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In what may be the most shocking NBA trade of the year, the Charlotte Hornets just sent Lamelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal that includes Naz Reid. The move has massive ramifications for both teams as well as the NBA. The Timberwolves send a haul to the Hornets for a star-studded new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":123847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123846"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123846"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123846\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/123847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}