The Charlotte Hornets have already surprised fans with the LaMelo Ball trade, and now, the franchise is seemingly looking at another move. The Boston Celtics have been looking to trade Jaylen Brown since the team was in conversation with the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The front office also wanted to add Naz Reid to the frontcourt, who is now in Charlotte. And that has led the Celtics to the Hornets’ door.
Sources have suggested that the Celtics are still interested in Reid. However, the Timberwolves already have two superstar backcourt pieces now, Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. Adding a third ball-heavy guard might not be something the Hornets’ management might be looking for. However, the two teams have reportedly explored the possibilities.
Hornets’ official Reddit community channel on X wrote:
“Before the LaMelo Ball trade, Boston desired Reid as part of Brown trade talks with Minnesota, as noted by The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. Reid once again was brought up in talks for Brown after joining the Hornets, @hoopshype has learned.”
Charlotte has also gauged the trade market value of forward Miles Bridges, who’s on an expiring $22.83M deal. His salary would be needed to make any Brown trade work with Charlotte. With that said, exploratory talks with the Hornets have cooled.”
Meanwhile, the Hornets are also exploring options for Miles Bridges, who is on an expiring contract. Though the Wolves might not be interested in signing Brown, alongside Ball and Edwards, they might be involved in any combination with the Celtics, due to Boston’s interest in Reid. Another big trade might be cooking.
“LaMelo Ball had next to no value a year ago” – ESPN analyst believes Hornets won the trade
ESPN analyst Tim MacMahon delivered his verdict after the Hornets moved LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid and major draft assets. MacMahon suggested that Ball did not have trade value last season due to his constant run-ins with injuries.
However, Ball played 72 games this season, averaging 20.1 points and 7.1 assists. The ESPN analyst stated that the front office caught the first opportunity they got to move the shifty guard. He said:
“Almost consensus in the people I talk to in the league has been that LaMelo Ball had next to no value a year ago… and as soon as he had value, [they] pounced on the opportunity to move him.”
The Hornets are seemingly building around Kon Knueppel after he had a ROTY campaign last season with sharp-shooting abilities. It’s too early to say who won the trade, as many highly anticipated moves have not brought the desired results.
For now, the Wolves have solved their ball-handling woes that have bugged the team for a long time. Meanwhile, the Hornets have recieved an efficient wing and the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year, to pair with Kon Knueppel.
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