Hornets Explore Lamelo Ball Trade With Multiple Teams

WHO:

[11:18 pm] - HoopsRumors.com - Michael Ajayi and the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a two-way contract.

[10:06 pm] - ESPN - LaMelo Ball is being strongly pursued by multiple teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors.

[11:18 pm] - HoopsRumors.com - LaMelo Ball is represented by Sam Permut.

[11:18 pm] - Sportskeeda - LaMelo Ball is headed to Minnesota to play with Anthony Edwards.

[11:18 pm] - HoopsRumors.com - The Milwaukee Bucks have registered interest in LaMelo Ball, with their interest dating back to before the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.

HoopsRumors.com - LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, Anthony Edwards, Immanuel Quickley

RealGM Basketball - LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo, Naz Reid

WHAT:

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - Coby White will now be the starting point guard for the Hornets following their trade of LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - Coby White averaged 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 21 games with the Hornets last season.

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - Coby White averaged 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 29 games with the Bulls last season.

[10:06 pm] - ESPN - LaMelo Ball could be moved as soon as this week if Charlotte's asking price is met.

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - Coby White and the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a three-year, $74 million contract.

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - LaMelo Ball has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $203.9 million contract signed with the Hornets in 2023.

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - Ball was the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft and won Rookie of the Year in 2021 before being named to the All-Star team in 2022.

[11:18 pm] - HoopsRumors.com - Some teams are making "aggressive" offers for LaMelo Ball, and there is a real chance he could be moved as soon as this week if Charlotte's asking price is met.

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - LaMelo Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 72 games last season.

HoopsRumors.com - The Hornets are engaged in trade talks regarding LaMelo Ball, with multiple teams "strongly" pursuing him.

HoopsRumors.com - The Timberwolves have taken Jaden McDaniels off the table in any trade discussions.

HoopsRumors.com - The Timberwolves prefer to keep Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid in trade talks.

HoopsRumors.com - Ball has three seasons left on his current contract, with salaries of $40.8MM for the next season, $43.6MM in 2027/28, and $46.4MM in 2028/29.

WHERE:

HoopsRumors.com - The trade discussions involve the Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks.

WHEN:

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - The Timberwolves' trade of Julius Randle cannot be finalized until July 6.

HoopsRumors.com - The Timberwolves' trade of Julius Randle cannot be finalized until July 6.

WHY:

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - The Hornets are exploring a reset of their core around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel despite being in a good place with Ball.

HoopsRumors.com - The Timberwolves are looking for a ball-handler to take some of the offensive load off Anthony Edwards.

HoopsRumors.com - The Raptors would like to upgrade at the point guard position from Immanuel Quickley.

HOW:

[11:18 pm] - RealGM Basketball - The Timberwolves' trade of Julius Randle cannot be finalized until July 6.

[10:06 pm] - ESPN - The Timberwolves may expand the three-team trade involving Julius Randle to include LaMelo Ball, needing to achieve a 100% salary match to avoid a first-apron hard cap.

[11:18 pm] - HoopsRumors.com - The Timberwolves may expand the three-team trade involving Julius Randle to include LaMelo Ball, needing to achieve a 100% salary match to avoid a first-apron hard cap.

HoopsRumors.com - The Timberwolves may expand the three-team trade involving Julius Randle to include LaMelo Ball, needing to achieve a 100% salary match to avoid a first-apron hard cap.

Michael Ajayi has signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets, who have also named Coby White as their new starting point guard after trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season, Coby White averaged 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 21 games with the Hornets, and he previously averaged 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 29 games with the Bulls. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves' trade involving Julius Randle won't be finalized until July 6.