Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball is being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, per multiple reports.

Why it matters: Ball has been the face of sports in Charlotte since Panthers quarterback Cam Newton left.

Zoom in: Ball and Josh Green will go to the Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, plus several future NBA Draft picks:

• The 2033 first-round pick.
• First-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030.
• Three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033.

Flashback: The Hornets drafted Ball third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. He went on to become an All-Star and was named NBA rookie of the year.

Between the lines: NBA rules prevent the Hornets from discussing the trade at this time, team co-owner Rick Schnall told reporters at a $1 million donation announcement to Nourish Up yesterday.

• While they couldn't comment on the deal itself, Schnall did speak to the organization's evolution as a whole since they bought the team in 2023.
• "Transformation takes time," said Schnall, who along with other owners, continues to reiterate that they're building a premier NBA franchise.
• "We know that it's going to take time, and it takes tough decisions to get there, and it takes an organization that's bought in," Schnall said. "We feel like we're in a great place."

What Ball's teammates are saying

Nourish Up has recently opened a $4.4 million commercial kitchen for its Meals on Wheels program.

Why it matters: This is the final piece of the nonprofit's $22.8 million capital campaign at its hunger hub, Nourish Up CEO Tina Postel told reporters yesterday. The 10,000-square-foot kitchen allows them to prepare roughly 500 daily meals in-house and expand their services.

Catch up quick: In 2021, Loaves & Fishes merged with Friendship Trays under the name Nourish Up. The nonprofit distributes groceries and meals to people across Mecklenburg County.

• It purchased its 90,000-square-foot facility in west Charlotte near I-85 (901 Carrier Dr.) in December 2021 for $8.1 million, and moved into its new HQ in April 2024.

The latest: The Charlotte Hornets Foundation's $1 million donation to the commercial kitchen, which has been branded the Home Court Kitchen, completes Nourish Up's HQ.

• The kitchen has the capacity to serve up to 2,500 meals daily, Postel says.

See inside

😋 Two local food brands are opening soon in Davidson's Sadler Square: dairy-free ice cream shop Seemingly Overzealous opens July 1, followed by burger joint Harriet's Hamburgers on July 3.

🏒 The Carolina Hurricanes, the 2026 Stanley Cup Champions, will open their home preseason Sept. 22 against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center before hosting the Nashville Predators on Sept. 24 at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro. (NHL)

🎤 Charlotte Idol is back for its fifth season at OpenTap, where local singers will compete live every Thursday at 7pm for a $1,000 grand prize. (Instagram)

Fresh listings are heating up the market this week, like this renovated Plaza Midwood cottage that blends original character with modern luxury.

2509 Belvedere Ave. — $1,695,000

Zoom in: 4 beds, 3 baths and 2,964 square feet

• Notable features: White oak flooring, marble backsplash, gas fireplace, Signature Kitchen Suite appliances, deck, fire pit and fenced-in yard.

Five more hot homes to see

They're popping bottles down at The Speckled Trout.

• Just kidding, but that's where we would be tonight if we were in Axios Raleigh and Axios Charlotte's favorite mountain town.

State of play: Blowing Rock convincingly won the final matchup of our Best Mountain Town bracket against Asheville.

• After thousands of votes from readers, Blowing Rock — home to North Carolina's oldest tourist attraction — never came close to losing.

Zoom in: It's easy to see why Blowing Rock earned so many votes — it combines the charm of a bustling small town with some of the best views along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

• Despite its small size, Blowing Rock has something for everyone, from Tweetsie Railroad and luxury resorts to a downtown full of interesting shops and great restaurants.

Between the lines: But it's the access to nature that puts Blowing Rock over the top.

• The stunning Blue Ridge Parkway snakes through town, offering easy access to some of the best hikes in all of the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as attractions like Moses Cone Memorial Park, the engineering marvel of the Linn Cove Viaduct and the serene landscapes of Julian Price Memorial Park.

Go deeper with our guide to the area.