The Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota on Thursday in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Ball's name has been in the rumor mill for quite some time, but this was certainly unexpected. Minnesota now teams Anthony Edwards up with an elite playmaker, putting the No. 1 and No. 3 picks from the 2020 NBA Draft together. Charania notes that the Hornets didn't actively shop Ball, but they received multiple offers, and this is the route they went. As far as landing spots go, Ball could have a field day setting up the likes of Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
Hornets' Miles Bridges: Takes step back in 2025-26
Rotowire
Bridges ended Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic with 15 points (5-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and one assist across 28 minutes.
Bridges propelled the Hornets to a 127-126 overtime victory over the Heat in Tuesday's Play-In Game, when he logged 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal over 43 minutes, though he was unable to replicate that production in Friday's elimination loss. Bridges was productive to open the 2025-26 season, but his numbers dipped significantly following the All-Star break. Over his final 24 regular-season outings from Feb. 24 to April 12, he averaged 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 threes and 0.8 steals over 28.3 minutes per game. Part of that dip had to do with Bridges taking a back seat to the likes of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. Bridges is slated to earn $22.8 million in 2026-27, which is the final year he is under contract with Charlotte.
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Hornets' Brandon Miller: Productive in third NBA season
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Miller closed with 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 29 minutes during Friday's 121-90 Play-In Game loss to the Magic.
Miller played a key role in the Hornets' 127-126 overtime win over the Heat on Tuesday, though he was unable to replicate that success in Friday's elimination game. The 2023 first-rounder has established himself as a franchise cornerstone for the Hornets alongside LaMelo Ball and 2025-26 Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel. Miller ended the 2025-26 regular season averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.1 threes, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks over 30.3 minutes per game. He has two years left on his rookie contract (including a $21.2 million qualifying offer for 2027-28), though Miller could earn a rookie max extension from the Hornets in the offseason.
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Hornets' LaMelo Ball: Paces Charlotte in blowout loss
Rotowire
Ball contributed 23 points (7-17 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), five assists and two rebounds across 25 minutes in Friday's 121-90 Play-In Tournament loss to the Magic.
Ball didn't deliver his most efficient performance during Friday's season-ending loss, though he did lead the Hornets with 23 points. He also paced the team in assists. The 24-year-old point guard dropped 20-plus points in each of Charlotte's Play-In Tournament games and in 35 of his 72 regular-season appearances (69 starts). Ball took a step back on the offensive end but still averaged at least 20 points per game for a fifth consecutive campaign, finishing the regular season with averages of 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes per tilt.
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