According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, confirmed by both organizations, the Charlotte Hornets have traded LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid and multiple first-round draft picks.

Officially, Minnesota is trading away a 2033 first-rounder, three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029, 2030, and three second-round picks in 2029, 2032, 2033. In addition to acquiring the 24-year-old, Josh Green is being sent to the Timberwolves.

A couple days after trading Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, this opened up space for them to move forward and make a splash this offseason to acquire the star guard.

Ball has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $203.9 million contract.

According to EPSN’s Shams Charania, the Charlotte Hornets are in legitimate, active talks with several teams revolving around LaMelo Ball. This is reportedly expected to have a conclusion within the next 48 hours.

While Ball has expressed interest in remaining with the organization, there is an expectation that Charlotte is wanting to go in a different direction that no longer includes the former third overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft.

Right now, per Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors are the teams currently interested in trading for the 24-year-old guard.

Ball has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $203.9 million contract.

Per Duane Rankin, the Phoenix Suns have decided to pass on the LaMelo Ball sweepstakes. They are the only known team to be out of the run.

In 72 games last season, he averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 28.0 minutes.

LaMelo Ball (Ankle) Out Remainder Of Season

The Charlotte Hornets have made the decision to shut down franchise player LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the season due to his ongoing ankle injuries.

Ball has been out since January 26th with right ankle tendinopathy, which will need further rehab. He’s only played 22 games this season, but his ankle injuries have been going on since last season.

Last year, Ball was only able to play 36 games before fracturing his right ankle in late February. This has caused him to be available for 58 games in two seasons, which is gut-wrenching.

For even more context on his injury history, his rookie season was cut short due to a fractured wrist. Charlotte has only been able to use him for 184 games out of a possible 328 games across four seasons.

The organization will start paying the 22-year-old his projected $204.5 million rookie scale extension next season, beginning season one of five. About $35.2 million will be paid to him for the first season.