Shams: LaMelo Ball traded to Timberwolves

Clark’s production this past season didn’t differ much from the prior. While scoring, rebounding, and assisting at similar levels, he regressed as a shooter in his second NBA season, posting averages of 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 13.1 minutes per game. The wing and guard rooms remain crowded in Minnesota with the reported acquisition of LaMelo Ball and the re-signing of Ayo Dosunmu. However, Clark’s three-year deal suggests the Timberwolves still value him and want him to remain in the nightly rotation.

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.

While the report says the Hornets have not signaled they’re looking to move on from Ball, that has not kept some teams from taking the initiative to see if they can get something done. According to both Charania and NBA insider Marc Stein, Minnesota and Toronto are the teams in question. Having struggled with injuries in recent years, Ball appeared in 72 games last season and was one of the reasons why the Hornets landed in the Play-In tournament. He averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.8 three-pointers per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 89.9 percent from the foul line. If Ball is moved, it would be a clear sign that Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are the Hornets’ cornerstones.

After two seasons in Minnesota, Randle is headed back to the Big Apple, albeit a different borough. While he did struggle during the Timberwolves’ second-round series against San Antonio, the veteran forward had a productive 2025-26 regular season. In 79 games, Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers, shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 80.2 percent from the foul line. With the Nets in the midst of a rebuild, it’s fair to wonder if they won’t look to move Randle to another team. He can provide reliable top-75 fantasy value, especially in points leagues. Staying in Brooklyn could raise Randle’s ceiling, as was the case with Michael Porter Jr. Still, fantasy managers would also have to worry about the possibility of his minutes decreasing late in the season. As part of the trade, Minnesota will receive the rights to the 33rd overall pick in this week’s draft. Randle’s exit means Naz Reid will start consistently, raising his fantasy ceiling, and it also gives the Timberwolves the financial flexibility needed to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu.

Reid’s 18 points matched his high for the series, which he first recorded in Game 3. While the Timberwolves had to navigate injuries throughout the playoffs, Reid’s role remained largely unchanged. And given who’s all under contract for next season, that’s likely to remain the case. Reid is a player who has to be rostered in standard fantasy leagues, but his ceiling is limited with Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert starting while he comes off the bench.

Reid, who finished one rebound shy of a double-double, rolled his right ankle early in the fourth quarter of Game 4. The good news is that he returned later in the quarter, providing key contributions as the Timberwolves evened the series at two games apiece. Game 5 is on Tuesday night, so Reid won’t have too long to rest his injured ankle. Don’t be surprised if he shows up on the preliminary injury report.

Reid has reached double figures in six consecutive playoff games, with Friday’s 18 points being the most in a game for him this postseason. Add in the rebounds, assists and blocks, and the Timberwolves’ forward/center was solid in his 32 minutes. However, given the opponent, the Timberwolves may need a little more from Reid if they’re to win this series, especially if Julius Randle continues to struggle as he has the last two games. Game 4 is on Sunday night in Minneapolis.

After totaling 21 points in the first three games of the series, Reid stepped up on Saturday to help the Timberwolves compensate for the losses of Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles). The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner contributed a complete stat line on good percentages, playing 28 minutes off the bench. While his playing time may not increase much moving forward, the Timberwolves losing DiVincenzo and Edwards means that they’ll need more production from Reid.

While Ball shot more efficiently from the field on Friday than he did in Wednesday’s win, the end result was a blowout, season-ending loss. He scored well from beyond the arc and concluded as the only Hornets player to reach the 20-point mark. Additionally, Ball was Charlotte’s only player with more than two assists. The sixth-year guard’s scoring numbers took a hit this year as his minutes decreased. Yet, he logged 72 regular-season games and proved he could stay healthy. Ball should be in line for a similarly productive 2026-27 season from a fantasy basketball standpoint.