The Charlotte Hornets are stumbling out of the gate with a brutal 4-7 start to the season, and man, the spotlight is burning bright on them after that LaMelo Ball trade. Remember that massive offseason shakeup? They sent Ball to the Timberwolves, and the big return was Naz Reid, the former Sixth Man of the Year who was an absolute fan favorite in Minnesota. Here’s the kicker: even though Reid’s putting up career-high numbers, it just isn’t gelling, and now his name is already popping up in trade talks.
Charlotte’s Messy Start and Reid’s Wild Numbers
It’s tough to watch the Hornets right now. That 4-7 record is underwhelming, especially with all eyes on them post-Ball trade. The idea was to reset, right? And Reid was supposed to be a cornerstone. But for whatever reason, the seamless fit everyone hoped for just isn’t there in Charlotte, not like it was in Minnesota. And this is despite the dude absolutely balling out! His stats across the board are career highs. We’re talking 17.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and he’s hitting 41.1 percent from the field. He’s even playing more minutes than he ever did with the Timberwolves. It’s a weird situation when a guy is performing at his peak, but the team’s still struggling, and his name is getting whispered in potential trade deals.
The Trade Deadline Looms: Why Reid is a Hot Target
You know how it goes in the league: slow starts often mean a team becomes a seller at the deadline, and Naz Reid’s situation is screaming “trade bait.” The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski didn’t mince words, saying, “The Hornets now are clearly in a period of transition. The possibilities of Naz getting traded again are very high.” Why is he such an appealing target, even with a hefty contract? He’s on the second year of a five-year, $125 million deal that he signed with Minnesota in 2025. That means a team would get him for 3.5 years beyond this season. That’s not a rental, folks, that’s a serious upgrade at power forward for years to come. Plus, let’s not forget his playoff experience. The man played 48 career playoff games with the Timberwolves, averaging a solid 10.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game. He’s proven he can perform when the pressure is on. Charlotte might be in a postseason spot right now, but they’ve made it clear they’re focused on the long-term health of the squad. If that means moving a veteran like Reid to continue their transition, don’t be surprised.
Look, it’s still early, anything can happen, and the Hornets could totally turn this season around. But with those trade rumors swirling and the team’s stated priority on the future, keep your eyes peeled on Naz Reid. That February trade deadline is gonna be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply