OK, look, this might be a huge leap here. But trust me when I say that this is at least somewhat plausible: Could the Charlotte Hornets turn around and trade for Jaylen Brown after they swung a deal that sent LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Let’s review the reasons this MIGHT be a possibility, starting with the fact that Ball went to the T-Wolves for Naz Reid and a boatload of draft picks. That reportedly created a trade exception of $40.8 million. You read that right. THAT IS A HUGE TRADE EXCEPTION TO USE ON A DEAL! Brown’s salary in 2026-27 is over $57 million. Roll that around your brain for a moment.
Plus, the Hornets could send out Miles Bridges and his expiring $22.8 million contract in a deal. He could fit in with the Celtics, right?
The Hornets reduce their payroll by $21 million by trading LaMelo Ball and Josh Green for Naz Reid.
Josh Green for Naz Reid is a clean salary match, allowing them to create a $40.8 million trade exception for Ball.
They also have 12 future first-round picks through 2033.
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 25, 2026
But what I really want to focus on is the thing we wrote about on Wednesday: Brown tweeted three words after the Giannis trade that confounded NBA fans. He wrote, “I love cats” on X (formerly Twitter). Could mean he loves cats, right?
Or… it could mean he loves Bobcats, which used to be the name of THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS!!!
Too much? We’ll see. It could be nothing, but Thursday’s NBA moves have opened up a wild possibility here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jaylen Brown trade rumors could include Hornets next?
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