The Charlotte Hornets shocked the NBA this week by trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They received Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029, and 2030, and three second-round picks.
LaMelo, who averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists per game in his final season in Charlotte, is now headed to play alongside Anthony Edwards, forming one of the most exciting young backcourts in the league.
LaVar Ball Gets Brutally Honest On LaMelo Ball’s Exit
When asked to grade the trade, LaVar did not need long to think it over. “Anybody who gets my son is Grade A,” he said with a grin. Then came the follow-up: how about the Charlotte Hornets? LaVar chuckled. “Ha, F.” He didn’t hesitate even for a second about what he thought.
LAVAR grades LaMelo trade! 🚨
Wolves: A
Hornets: 😂 pic.twitter.com/UqY6gRAnSE— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) June 27, 2026
The man who famously said LaMelo was better than LeBron James in high school has been saying his sons are Grade A products since before any of them were drafted, and he is not about to soften his stance just because Charlotte decided to move on.
The Hornets were genuinely on the rise. They finished the 2025-26 season with 44 wins, their best total since 2016.LaMelo, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller formed one of the most statistically dominant starting lineups in recent memory, outscoring opponents by 26.4 points per 100 possessions whenever that specific core played together.
The Hornets still missed the playoffs after a 31-point blowout loss to the Magic in the Play-In Tournament.
For the Timberwolves, this is a genuine gamble. Minnesota went deep in back-to-back Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025, but was knocked out in the second round this season.
They have now traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the same offseason, gutting their frontcourt depth in the process.
Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball sharing the backcourt is a thrilling proposition, but the injuries that have followed LaMelo throughout his career are a real concern.
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He has played more than 60 games in a season since he was drafted. The Timberwolves would have to build a balanced roster and avoid relying too heavily on their backcourt, just in case it backfires horribly at any point.
Whether LaVar’s F grade for the Hornets ages well is a question only time can answer. But one thing is certain: wherever LaMelo Ball goes, his father will be the loudest voice, rooting for his son.