Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee spoke about the LaMelo Ball trade for the first time.
During an interview with Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer, Charles Lee made his first comments since the Charlotte Hornets traded LaMelo Ball.
The Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three future first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks.
“Yeah, I would say I was not caught off guard by it,” Lee said. “I think one of the great things about our organization is that there’s always really good communication amongst all departments and groups. And I think that’s what Jeff does so well, is that he wants to communicate and collaborate with people.
“And ultimately, he has to make some tough decisions to help our basketball team and our organization be in the best place to flourish and try to be the premier sports franchise.”
The Hornets never made the playoffs in the Ball era. Ball played in 303 games with Charlotte. He averaged 20.8 points and 7.3 assists per game and made one All-Star team (2022).
Ball, 24, also won the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award.
“I think that Melo made great strides over the two years that I’ve gotten to coach him,” Lee said. “He and I were able to build a really good relationship, I think, on the court and off the court. He helped us not only win games but also just create an environment that’s about work, competitiveness and togetherness.”
The Hornets are expected to start Coby White, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Reid and Moussa Diabaté next season.
That's a strong starting five on paper.
Next season will be the first time in his NBA career that Reid will be a starter.
Reid won the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year Award. He enters next season with career averages of 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in the regular season and 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in the playoffs.
For Minnesota this past season, Reid averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 45.6% from the field, 36.2% from beyond the arc and 73.2% from the free-throw line. He recorded six double-doubles.
Reid will make $23,275,862 next season. Multiple teams have tried to acquire him from the Hornets, but Charlotte is keeping the talented big man.
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