Charles Lee has spoken publicly about the LaMelo Ball trade for the first time, telling Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer that the move didn’t blindside him. Lee said he was “not caught off guard” by the decision, crediting strong communication across the organization and pointing to Jeff, who he said wants to collaborate with people before making the tough calls that put the franchise in the best position.
Charlotte sent Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three future first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks. It closed the book on a Ball era that never produced a playoff appearance. Across 303 games with the Hornets, Ball averaged 20.8 points and 7.3 assists. He made one All-Star team, in 2022, and won Rookie of the Year in 2020-21. He’s 24.
Lee didn’t downplay what Ball meant to him. He said Ball made real strides over their two years together and that the two built a strong relationship on and off the floor, with Ball helping set a competitive, hard-working tone in the locker room.
What Charlotte’s lineup looks like now
The Hornets are expected to open next season with Coby White, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Reid and Moussa Diabaté, a starting five that looks strong on paper. It’ll be the first time in Reid’s NBA career that he opens as a starter.
Reid arrives with a Sixth Man of the Year award from 2023-24 and career regular-season averages of 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists, plus 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in the playoffs. This past season in Minnesota he put up 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field, 36.2% from three and 73.2% at the line, with six double-doubles. He’s set to make $23,275,862 next season, and while multiple teams have called about him, Charlotte is holding on to its new big man.
