The Charlotte Hornets are already a different team than they were at the end of last season, largely due to a blockbuster trade in which they sent franchise star LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three second-round picks and three first-round pick swaps.
The move immediately sent Hornets fans into a frenzy, with many confused as to why they would move on from the player that led the league’s the best offense after Jan. 1 this season.
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While speaking to reporters in Las Vegas on Saturday, Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson spoke on the trade.
“These decisions are challenging at times, but when you look at the totality of the season and everything of where we were, it’s important to take an honest look in the mirror of where you guys are as a team,” he said. “That’s what I had to do at the end of the season. And it just felt like the goal is never to compete for a play-in spot. The goal isn’t to get to the play-in or even the playoffs for one year.”
Despite an ugly 11-23 start, Ball helped the Hornets win 32 of the next 45 games last season with both their offense and defense ranked in the top five.
They took down the Miami Heat to start the play-in tournament before being sent home by the Orlando Magic in their second play-in matchup.
Peterson gave credit to Ball for this turnaround while expressing a belief that the trade made the team better.
“I’ll say it every day: LaMelo was tremendous in our run last year. He was extremely impactful and I know he’s going to do great in Minnesota. But for the Charlotte Hornets, just felt like it was the right time to execute a trade of that magnitude. We’re in a great position because of the talent, the depth of our roster and our flexibility.”
In 72 appearances last season, Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. Peterson explained that the decision to send him to Minnesota was not one made spontaneously.
“It wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment [decision]. It was continuous dialogue throughout the season, postseason, consistently just planning, contingency planning, things like that. So I wouldn’t say necessarily it was a tough sell. At the end of the day, you do have to make these decisions with conviction.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
