Charlotte’s path back to the NBA playoffs is taking a new turn. The Hornets got Naz Reid from Minnesota in a four-team trade that saw LaMelo Ball and Josh Green join the Timberwolves. The Naz Reid trade is no longer a possibility; Charlotte has instead gone big on a different team name. Fans can check out today’s NBA predictions for the opening fixtures of the 2026–2027 season.
The Hornets’ playoff drought: A center-sized hole in the roster
Despite injuries and defensive turmoils, Charlotte have had difficulty getting young talent to click and pay off. Brandon Miller is still a major cog in the offense, but Ball’s exit changes the offense. When top quality creativity was needed, Ball made it happen; there’s no centre to replace his passing, pace and shot creation.
The Hornets have also had to rely on some consistent front court offense. A problem has been the availability of Mark Williams and a modern big will open up the floor for guards and wings. Reid has that kind of skill set, but Charlotte’s challenge is no longer to fill in that center-sized hole. The club needs to get a reliable lead guard game, get better defense and have chemistry around Miller and his revamped supporting cast.
Why Naz Reid? Profile of a modern, impactful big man
Reid was the first Timberwolves player ever to be selected for the 2023–24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year. In 81 career regular-season games, he scored 13.5 points and tallied 5.2 rebounds, while shooting 47.7% from the field and 41.4% from the three-point range. Those are the reasons he ended up being more than just a regular reserve, able to take the ball to opposing centers off the boards and make plays at mid-range jumpers.
Reid is 6-9, strong with touch and has a quick release. He has the ability to score in the post, finish through contact and take advantage of mismatches against slower big men. His range allows coaches to have an option to play him at center or next to a traditional rim protector. That versatility provides line up flexibility.
Reid was signed to a five-year, $125 million deal with Minnesota in 2025, which now follows him to Charlotte. He doesn’t need to be a short-term rental; the Hornets have found themselves a guy whose shooting can be the foundation for their plans and he is in his prime.
The perfect fit? How Reid could unlock the Hornets’ offense
A dream pairing: The LaMelo Ball and Naz Reid two-man game
It was never that hard to see the original draw of a LaMelo Ball–Naz Reid dynamic. Ball’s passing and speed could have proven to be a dangerous pick-and-pop combination: Reid sets a screen and then cuts to the three-point line. If Reid is run wide, Ball has a lane to go running; if the defence comes in to him, Reid has a clear shot. A shooting center creates space for the opponent to defend as opposed to a regular “rim runner.
That combination, however, isn’t available in Charlotte, as Ball is currently in Minnesota. The Hornets need to do the same with their current guards like Coby White and with Miller being able to attack closeouts. Reid can screen, pop, roll or cut from the elbow, but that’s based on who he gets the ball and how he reads the defensive rotations.
While Reid’s talent is undeniable, a big man’s efficiency can sometimes be derived from the collaborators he has around him. The problem with Charlotte is that they need to be organized and have half-court possession, and Reid can’t shoot the ball for them if he’s all by himself.
Easing the burden on Brandon Miller
In a sense, Reid can help Miller even if Ball isn’t around. A second consistent threat takes the edge off defenses loading up on every possession to the young forward. When Reid gets a center out, Miller can shoot the deep ball or cut quick inside; if teams try to help Miller, Reid can punish rotations for a catch and shoot three.
That support could lead to better shots and better decision-making from Miller. It can also be a hindrance to other wings as it makes it difficult to simplify defensive assignments. Charlotte needs to bounce back, defend the court and minimize turnovers as different backcourt pairings find their rhythm.
The reality check: The high cost of a hypothetical trade
Among the star power Charlotte gave up, the deal also gave them flexibility in the form of future first-round pick 2033, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks. This was not just a center upgrade, it was a strategic exchange. Minnesota received Ball’s creation and Green, and Charlotte got Reid, draft leverage and a chance to change its roster.
The risk is clear. Picks don’t matter if Reid can’t turn them into talent or future options and he can’t replace Ball’s playmaking. His shooting can help balance an offense, but the new guards’ production and health and rebounding may be the ceiling for the Charlotte offense. Fantasy managers should also distinguish between Reid’s actual scoring and the potential for increased minutes: it’s all based on lineup decisions.
The verdict: Would Reid make the Hornets a playoff team?
Reid is a guy that’s filling a need and Charlotte has a proven stretch big that is in his prime. He proved to be a starter-level offense in a reserve role in his award-winning 2023–24 season, and his shooting will also be a great option alongside Miller. But how well Ball turns his chips into creation and how well Charlotte utilizes its pickups will be the trade’s success story.
While the balance might be restored, a pickup can’t ensure a round of results. They must have a clear lead guard, healthy contributors, and defensive consistency and continued growth from Miller. Those pieces, if in place, could help Reid push Charlotte toward the play-in race, and then to the postseason. The expectations can change over time and fans can keep checking the updated NBA predictions at Wincomparator. Now it’s not just a matter of whether Reid is going to put together Ball’s old team but whether Charlotte can create a team around him.
