The Hornets’ 4-7 start has put the franchise back in the spotlight, and it’s also turned attention toward one of the biggest names from their offseason shakeup: Naz Reid.
Charlotte dealt LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves before the season in a move aimed at resetting the roster for the future. Reid was the headliner coming back, a former Sixth Man of the Year who had become a favorite in Minnesota. So far, though, his fit in Charlotte has not looked as seamless as it did with the Timberwolves, even with his production climbing to career-best levels.
That matters because if the Hornets keep sliding, Reid could become a very real name to watch before the February trade deadline. Charlotte is still in postseason position despite the rocky beginning, but the way the team has operated suggests the long view is driving the decision-making.
“The Hornets now are clearly in a period of transition,” The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski said. “The possibilities of Naz getting traded again are very high.”
Reid’s contract only adds to the intrigue. He is in the second season of a five-year, $125 million deal he originally signed with Minnesota in 2025, and that kind of long-term control can make him more than just a short-term fix for another team. He’d be under contract for 3.5 years beyond just 2026-27, which could make him appealing to clubs looking for stability rather than a rental.
The numbers help explain why he’d draw interest. Reid is playing more minutes in Charlotte than he ever did in Minnesota, and his stat line has jumped with the extra workload. He’s averaging 17.4 points and 8.5 rebounds, both career highs, along with 2.1 assists and a 41.1 percent field goal percentage.
There’s also the playoff résumé. Reid has appeared in 48 career playoff games, averaging 23.2 minutes, 10.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
None of this guarantees a move, and it’s still early enough for Charlotte to straighten things out. If the Hornets do turn the season around, that would obviously change the conversation heading into the deadline.
In Other News...
Timberwolves Hot Start Is Silencing Two Major Offseason Doubts
The Timberwolves spent the offseason inviting questions, reshaping the roster by moving on from Julius Randle and Naz Reid while bringing in LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. Early returns have given the front office some cover, at least for now. Minnesota has stressed rebounding from the start, and the effort has shown up in the way Rudy Gobert, Kuminga and Jaden McDaniels have all helped steady the group while the team keeps leaning on a productive ten-man rotation through injuries.
LaMelo Balls fit has been especially important with Anthony Edwards sidelined, because Minnesota needed someone to handle more of the offense without letting the rest of the structure fall apart. So far, the Wolves have managed to stay balanced while sorting out a new hierarchy, and the early chemistry is doing a lot to quiet the concern that the offseason changes would leave them too thin on the glass or too dependent on one star. [Read more 🡒]
Wolves May Have Found Their Formula Without Anthony Edwards
The Timberwolves have pieced together a surprisingly sturdy stretch without Anthony Edwards, winning five of seven and using a four-game run to keep momentum rolling. A big reason has been LaMelo Ball settling into a more aggressive rhythm, giving Minnesota a different kind of offensive engine while Edwards is out.
What stands out most is how much cleaner Balls game has looked as the absence has gone on. His scoring has ticked up, his shot-making has become more efficient, and he has done a better job handling defensive pressure without getting bogged down by foul trouble, all of which has helped the Wolves stay organized and productive on both ends. If this version of Ball keeps showing up, Minnesota may have found a workable formula for the short term, even if the larger question around Edwards remains unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Clark Is Making Minnesotas Rotation Look Very Different
Jaylen Clarks rise has become one of the more interesting side stories in Minnesota this season, and it has come at a time when the Timberwolves have had to rethink their rotation on the fly. The young wing, who was extended to a three-year contract this summer, has looked far more comfortable offensively, with his three-point shot and overall confidence taking a noticeable step forward. What has stood out is the consistency, not just in games but in practice, where he has carried himself like a player who belongs in a bigger role.
The opportunity opened up when Anthony Edwards knee injury forced Minnesota to lean harder on its depth, and Clark has responded by giving the staff something to consider beyond just short-term cover. His increased minutes have helped accelerate his development, especially on the offensive end, where he no longer looks like a player trying to find his footing. For a Timberwolves team trying to stay steady through a changing lineup, Clarks emergence has made the rotation look a little different than anyone expected a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]