Timberwolves trade Naz Reid to Hornets for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green, ESPN sources say
A Minnesota Timberwolves fan favorite is reportedly heading out the door.
On Thursday morning, ESPN's Shams Charania reported, citing sources, that the Wolves are trading Naz Reid to the Charlotte Hornets for star point guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green.
The Wolves are also reportedly sending the Hornets a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, and three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033.
Reid, 26, who in 2024 won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, has become a cult hero for Wolves fans. Some even got tattoos of his name during that year's playoff berth.
Fans across the Twin Cities said the news came as a shock.
"I'm talking 50 to 75 texts already this morning," said superfan Marinos Vidiakitis of St. Paul, Minnesota.
All of Vidiakitis' texts were about Reid.
"I just think he's a great puzzle piece that would make any team better," said Vidiakitis. "My concern was that he was the perfect puzzle piece for us right now."
Vidiakitis isn't the only one with that opinion.
"Energy guy. Glue. A real smart for the team" said Zachary Tate of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
The Timberwolves finished last seaon with 49 wins and 33 losses.
"He brings energy to the Target Center unlike anybody else on the team," said Randy Globoker of Bloomington, Minnesota.
Globoker later said, "I think LaMelo could be a good fit if he stays healthy."
"This is kind of like ... I don't really know what we're doing yet" Tate added.
This weekend, Falling Knight Brewery says if you come in with a Naz Reid tattoo, they'll give you your first beer for $1. With tax, that beer will be $1.11 in honor of Reid.
"A fan favorite, like cats have Naz Reid tattoos," said Tate.
The tattoos leaving a memory of his legacy on many.
"Thank you so much for the last few years," Vidiakitis said he'd say to Reid.
Earlier this week, the Wolves also reportedly traded Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team deal.
Who is LaMelo Ball?
Ball, 24, is a 6-foot-7 guard from California who has played with the Hornets since 2020. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2021.
Last season he played in 72 games, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists. Despite a tough 4-14 start to the Hornets' season, he led the team to its best finish since 2016. According to ESPN, he has three years left on his contract and is eligible to sign an extension worth $119.2 million on July 6.
Ball is also part of the reason the viral "6-7" meme took off last year; the Skilla song "Doot Doot (6 7)" was used in videos featuring basketball players like Ball (who is 6'7"). The videos took off and kids started intoning it with hand gestures, and despite having no meaning whatsoever, the term was eventually named the 2025 word of the year by Dictionary.com.