LaMelo Ball Traded To Wolves In Blockbuster Deal

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June 26, 2026

Lamelo Ball Traded Timberwolves Naz Reid 2026

The LaMelo Ball trade reshaped two NBA rosters Wednesday. Charlotte sent LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota. Minnesota sent Naz Reid and a large draft package to Charlotte. The LaMelo Ball trade pairs a former Rookie of the Year with Anthony Edwards.

Why Minnesota Paired LaMelo Ball With Anthony Edwards

Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota on Wednesday. Charlotte received Naz Reid in the same deal. Charlotte also collected a 2033 unprotected first-round pick from Minnesota. Charlotte added three second-round picks across 2029, 2032 and 2033. Charlotte secured first-round swap rights in 2028, 2029 and 2030. The package signals a clear Charlotte rebuild.

LaMelo Ball averaged 20.1 points per game last season. LaMelo Ball added 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds nightly. LaMelo Ball shot 36.8% from 3 across 72 games. LaMelo Ball stays eligible for a two-year, $119.2 million extension on July 6. LaMelo Ball has three years left on his current contract. LaMelo Ball made the All-Star team during his Charlotte tenure.

Minnesota now pairs LaMelo Ball with All-Star guard Anthony Edwards. Anthony Edwards leads Minnesota as its franchise scorer. Minnesota reached the Western Conference finals in 2024. LaMelo Ball gives Minnesota a second creator averaging 7.1 assists. The Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball backcourt now features two 20-point scorers.

Charlotte commits fully to a rebuild around future draft capital. Charlotte now holds a 2033 unprotected first-round pick. Naz Reid joins Charlotte as the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year. Naz Reid stands 6-foot-9 and stretches the floor. Naz Reid gives Charlotte a proven rotation big at age 26. Charlotte now owns multiple first-round picks through 2033.

The LaMelo Ball trade headlined a chaotic NBA week. Golden State re-signed center Al Horford for a 20th NBA season. Boston continued discussing a Jaylen Brown trade, per ESPN. Washington selected AJ Dybantsa first overall in the 2026 draft. The moves reset contender and rebuild timelines across the league. The LaMelo Ball trade ranks as Minnesota’s biggest offseason addition.

LaMelo Ball can sign the $119.2 million extension on July 6. Minnesota opens next season chasing a top-four Western Conference seed. Charlotte enters a multi-year rebuild holding extra 2033 picks. Both franchises now build around the LaMelo Ball trade for years.