Timberwolves Land LaMelo Ball in 4-Team Trade, Sending Out 1 Unprotected First and Randle
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 14
Timberwolves Land LaMelo Ball in 4-Team Trade, Sending Out 1 Unprotected First and Randle
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 14
Summary
Minnesota said it paid a steep price for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green, sending Naz Reid to Charlotte, Julius Randle to Brooklyn and a 2033 unprotected first plus three swap rights and three second-round picks.
The Wolves made the 4-team deal to add a true point guard next to Anthony Edwards, with president Tim Connelly saying Ball can elevate the team and coach Chris Finch citing playoff lessons about needing a bigger backcourt.
Randle's move to the Nets also created the cap space Minnesota needed to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu, while Green adds another young backcourt piece from the 2020 draft class.
Ball, 24, arrives after an injury-hit stretch in which he played only 43% of games from 2022 to 2025, but Minnesota is betting his 2025-26 rebound and playmaking can push a second-round team closer to title contention.
The trade leaves frontcourt holes after losing Randle and Reid, fueling outside speculation about a LeBron James fit even as Connelly framed the bigger goal as making Minnesota a more attractive destination for any free agent.