Minnesota Timberwolves acquire LaMelo Ball in trade with Charlotte Hornets

Wild NBA trade to begin your Thursday. It was reported late last night that the Hornets were taking offers on LaMelo Ball and the Wolves as well as the Raptors were named as two interested teams. Personally I didn't think the Wolves had enoughg assets to acquire Ball after in previous years trading almost all their future first round picks to the Jazz for Rudy Gobert and more or less salary dumping Karl-Anthony Towns. Apparently the Hornets were satisfied with just Naz Reid and one first round pick. Their hope is that the Wolves seriously implode in the next couple seasons while Charlotte for the first time in like 35 years becomes a good team (now without their lone All-Star) so those pick swaps pay dividends.

That's a pretty crazy bet, but who really knows how well Ball will mesh with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and company. Not to mention the fact that Ball has been out injured a good amount in his young career. If in the next couple seasons Ball ends up a disaster in Minnesota and considering Gobert;s advanced age, its very possible that Edwards will then ask out. And the Jazz and now Hornets would control their future potential lottery picks.

ajority of the media seems to feel the Hornets got a lot for Ball. For Celtics fans hoping for a king's ransom for Jaylen Brown, it should be noted while Brad Stevens asking price for his super star is said to be higher, the final asset acquisition may look much closer to what the Hornets just received versus the pie in the sky ideas fans are coming up with.

Personally I would not be happy if the Celtics ended up with the package the Hornets just received for Ball, but apparently Brown's value isn't as great as one might think.

The Hornets followed up their Ball trade by re-signing Koby White who will be the front runner to start at point guard for them this season.


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