The Hornets’ blockbuster trade sending LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves is expected to become official on Friday. And that will be good news for more than just the Hornets and Timberwolves.
According to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer, the trade will be combined with the Timberwolves’ separate three-team Julius Randle trade involving the Nets and Bulls, creating one larger four-team transaction.
But the timing matters for more than just Charlotte and Minnesota.
As John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported, the Suns have been waiting for the Ball trade to become official before they can finalize their own acquisition of Miles Bridges. One of the draft picks Phoenix is receiving from the Hornets is tied to the Ball deal, meaning everything has to be processed in order before the Suns can move forward.
Once that happens, Phoenix is expected to complete the Bridges trade and officially sign veteran guard Luke Kennard early next week.
The delay has little to do with Kennard himself. Instead, it’s all about the salary cap.
The Suns plan to use the taxpayer midlevel exception to sign Kennard, but first need to complete the Bridges trade to create enough breathing room below the NBA’s second tax apron. Swapping out the combined salaries of Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen for Bridges’ smaller cap figure is expected to give Phoenix the flexibility it needs.
In other words, this has become one of those offseason domino effects. Once the Ball trade is finally official, several other moves around the league should quickly fall into place.
MORE HOOPS | NBA free agents by position
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
