LaMelo Ball Lands in Minnesota: Breaking Down the Timberwolves-Hornets Blockbuster

The 2026 NBA Draft concluded last night, but I'm coming to you today to discuss some trades, including a big one that just went through.

Also be sure to check out fantasy basketball stories from earlier in the week: first-round pick breakdown, the Bucks, Heat trade and then a couple other notable moves.

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T-Wolves Acquire Ball for Reid

In another big trade, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. Minnesota also got Josh Green in the deal.

Charlotte gets Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033).

Ball is the biggest name in the deal, and is coming off one of his healthiest seasons. Over 72 games, he averaged 28 minutes a night, while also averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks. 

Reid has been a good big man for Minnesota over the years, mostly while coming off the bench. In 77 games a year ago, Reid averaged 26.1 minutes, 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1 block and assist.

Green played in 58 games (all off the bench) last season. He averaged 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks per game, while playing 15.7 minutes a night.

With Reid out in Minnesota, that likely moves Jaden McDaniels to the power forward spot. Remember that the T-Wolves traded Julius Randle away a couple days ago. 

Rudy Gobert will be the center, and now the depth at power forward and center is pretty weak. Another offseason move could be coming for Minnesota, and they definitely will add some big men at some point.

Ayo Dosunmu was locked into a long-term contract this offseason, which is part of the reason why Minnesota moved on from Randle. Anthony Edwards is another guard, but now might slide to small forward in order to get Ball into the starting lineup.

Regardless of who starts, Edwards, Ball, Dosunmu, McDaniels and Gobert should log heavy minutes for Minnesota in the coming season. Ball should be a pretty good fantasy asset, but will have to adjust to being a secondary option, as this is Edwards' team.

I like the move, as it adds more offensive firepower in Minnesota. It cost a good deal to get Ball though, and with his injury history, it's a risky move in my eyes. And now, the depth in the frontcourt is shaky.

Again, I don't see Minnesota being done with their offseason moves, so we'll see what the team does to add more depth in the frontcourt, and add more talent overall.

Green isn't likely to hold a very big role, especially after more offseason moves. Terrence Shannon Jr., Donte DiVincenzo (who could miss the entire coming season), Kyle Anderson, Mike Conley, Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark are some notable bench players for now.

The move from Minnesota to Charlotte isn't the best thing for Reid. The Hornets have Miles Bridges at power forward for now, but maybe the next move for Charlotte is to ship him out.

The trade of Ball opens the door for rookie Christian Anderson to maybe start at point guard. Coby White and Tre Mann are other point guard options for now.

Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller are at the 2 and 3 spots, and locked into starting spots. Moussa Diabate was the center this past season - Reid could also slot in there, but would be a bit undersized over the course of a full season.

Sion James, Collin Sexton, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams are some notable bench assets right now. I like the Hornets starting group, but the depth is a little weak right now. Hannes Steinbach was a draft pick this week, so that makes the trade for Reid a bit puzzling.

The Hornets got a ton of draft capital, and should be loaded for the long haul now. Charlotte should put together a postseason-bound team this coming year again, but are better set to come out of the Eastern Conference once they make some of the picks they got in this deal.

Expect Reid to be a pretty good fantasy asset in his new role in Minnesota, even if he's coming off the bench still. Trading away Green doesn't affect much, but it does open the door for some reserves to be more involved.

I'll be intrigued to see what else Charlotte does this offseason.

Grizzlies Trade for Stewart

In a smaller deal, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons get three future second-round picks in return.

Stewart was on the trade block this offseason, and is coming off one of his better seasons in the NBA. He averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.3 steals over 22.7 minutes across 58 games (13 starts).

Stewart is a big man option for Memphis, but could come off the bench. Cameron Boozer was drafted early, and he should start at power forward. Zach Edey is the top center on the roster. Stewart could play enough, even in a reserve role behind those two to have fantasy relevance in 2026-27 and beyond.

The trade for Stewart doesn't really affect much else in Memphis. It could mean the team moves on from a forward, especially after adding Boozer to the mix. With Edey's injury issues though, keeping the forwards around makes more sense, so Stewart could slide to center and then the team isn't lacking there.

Ja Morant will still power the Grizzlies. Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells are projected starters at the 2 and 3 spots, respectively. Boozer and Edey round out the starting five. Boozer could shine as a rookie and immediately be the team's No. 2 option.

Some bench options include Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, Taylor Hendricks, rookie Karim Lopez, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.

I'm intrigued to see what else Memphis does this offseason. A clean bill of health could help the Grizzlies surprise in 2026-27, but they are still a few players away from being a legit playoff contender I think.

As for the Pistons losing Stewart, it opens backup minutes at power forward and center. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren are the starters at those spots.

Javonte Green and Paul Reed are some top reserves there right now. Ron Holland II is another option. I'd expect Detroit to add to their frontcourt depth this offseason, whether that be in a trade, or through free agency.

Cade Cunningham is the leader of the Pistons, and will start at point guard. Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson are the projected starters at the 2 and 3 spots, respectively. 

Daniss Jenkins, Caris LeVert, rookie Ebuka Okorie, Marcus Sasser, Kevin Huerter and Green are bench options across those three spots.

Detroit has a solid starting five, but if they truly want to contend in the East, I think they need another couple players yet. I'd expect those players to be added shortly, and we will cover the biggest moves when they happen.

Keep checking back to FantasySP all offseason for the latest moves and the fantasy basketball impacts!