Shams: Hornets sign Coby White to three-year deal

Nothing is going to happen with Leonard until the NBA concludes its investigation into whether or not the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to compensate the 34-year-old forward. For now, the Clippers are determined to keep Leonard and his preference is to remain with the team. The Raptors have genuine interest and Leonard would be open to signing an extension with the Raptors or the Spurs in the event of a trade, according to Fischer. On the other hand, Leonard wouldn’t be open to an extension if dealt to the Pistons or the Heat. The results of the investigation and Leonard’s future will continue to be a storyline to watch this offseason. Stay tuned.

Appearing on the Dan LeBatard Show Thursday morning, Windhorst came right out and said he believes the most important thing in the league right now is that the Celtics have decided they need to trade Brown to be competitive. This comes on the heels of reports that the Timberwolves discussed trading for Brown before they acquired LaMelo Ball as well as a report that the Celtics would even consider trading Brown for young players, picks and pick swaps. While the Celtics have tried to trade Brown for other stars in the past, the asking price might be a little different this offseason. After finishing sixth in MVP voting and making All-NBA second-team last year, the former Finals MVP’s days in Boston could be numbered.

Injuries limited White to 50 games last season. After a midseason trade to the Hornets, his minutes went from 29.1 per game in Chicago to 19.3 per game in Charlotte. White still averaged 15.6 points with the Hornets playing behind LaMelo Ball. With Ball now in Minnesota, White projects as a starter for the Hornets this upcoming season. He’s one of the big winners of the early offseason in terms of fantasy value.

Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up Thursday morning, Windhorst once again linked the Pistons’ recent cap-saving move of trading forward Isaiah Stewart to an eventual pursuit of big name targets, a list which includes Leonard. Windhorst noted that the Pistons have already missed out on Austin Reaves and Tyler Herro and could be looking at Leonard next. Just don’t expect a resolution soon with the NBA still investigating whether the Clippers circumvented the league’s salary cap to compensate Leonard. Once that investigation concludes, Windhorst said, Leonard will either get a contract extension or be traded and the Pistons have become a team to watch if he’s made available.

Green only appeared in 57 games for the Hornets last year and didn’t start any games for the first time in his career. His 15.7 minutes per game were his lowest since the 2021-22 season. While some may view him as a throw-in for this trade, Green averaged at least 25 minutes in the three seasons before last year. A career 38 percent three-point shooter, Green certainly adds value to a Timberwolves bench unit that lost Naz Reid in this trade.

Reid had a breakout season for the Timberwolves in 2023-24 when he won Sixth Man of the Year while averaging 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and shot 41 percent from three-point range. He finished in the top five of Sixth Man voting each of the last two years as well. Reid signed a multi-year contract with Minnesota less than a year ago, but will now find himself in Charlotte as part of the return for LaMelo Ball. Reid should have a similar role with the Hornets either as a starter or premiere bench option. He joins a frontline that also includes Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner and newly drafted Hannes Steinbach.

Charania reported late Wednesday night that the Hornets were fielding offers for Ball and NBA Insider Marc Stein pinpointed the Timberwolves as one of the interested teams. Now both sides have agreed on a deal that sends Ball along with Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Anthony Edwards was frustrated with how he’s been double-teamed since the team traded Karl Anthony-Towns. Now the Timberwolves have sent a haul to the Hornets to pair Edwards with Ball in the backcourt. Ball stayed healthy playing 72 games last season and is in line for similar fantasy production in Minnesota while the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller could see increased usage with Ball no longer in Charlotte.

Horford declined his player option, but is staying with the Warriors on a two-year deal. Horford turned 40 earlier this month and is entering his 20th season in the NBA. He’ll be the 13th player in league history to reach 20 seasons. Horford’s return is the first move in securing Golden State’s frontline for the upcoming season. The organization is in talks to bring Kristaps Porzingis back on a short-term contract and expects Draymond Green to exercise his player option. A part-time player at this point of his career, Horford doesn’t carry much fantasy value. He averaged career-lows in points, rebounds and minutes last season.

After three seasons at Sam Houston State, earning all-conference honors in 2024 and 2025, Wilkerson transferred to Indiana for his final season. Starting all 32 games he played, the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 20.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 three-pointers, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 88.8 percent from the foul line. Wilkerson can score on three levels, and the hope is that he can use his length to provide greater value as a defender.

After being a starter during his first season at Arizona, Awaka moved to the bench to make room for expected first-round pick Koa Peat. However, the 6-foot-8 senior forward’s production improved. In 39 games, Awaka averaged 9.3 points and 9.1 rebounds in 20.8 minutes, shooting 58.7 percent from the field and 64.2 percent from the foul line. Awaka’s rebounding ability and physicality will give him a chance to carve out a role in the NBA.