LaMelo Ball is no longer a member of the Charlotte Hornets. The former All-Star guard was officially moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a major four-team offseason transaction in 2026, giving Minnesota a new starting backcourt pairing with Anthony Edwards. Ball enters the 2026-27 season after averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 72 games for Charlotte during the 2025-26 regular season.
Introduction
LaMelo Ball enters the 2026-27 NBA season with one of the biggest changes of his professional career: after six seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, he is now a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves acquired Ball in a four-team transaction that became official during the 2026 offseason. Minnesota received Ball and Josh Green from Charlotte, while the Hornets ultimately received Naz Reid, multiple future draft assets and other pieces through the expanded trade.
The move is significant because Minnesota already has one of the NBA’s established young stars in Anthony Edwards. Ball and Edwards were selected No. 3 and No. 1, respectively, in the 2020 NBA Draft, and they will now form one of the league’s most closely watched backcourts.
Ball also arrives in Minnesota after a season in which he made 72 appearances, his second-highest total in an NBA season, and averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
The immediate question for the 2026-27 season is how Ball’s playmaking and scoring will fit alongside Edwards and how the Timberwolves’ offense will change with another high-level ball-handler.
What Happened to LaMelo Ball?
The biggest recent development involving LaMelo Ball was his trade from Charlotte to Minnesota.
The transaction was part of a complicated four-team deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets. NBA.com reported that Minnesota acquired Ball and Josh Green from Charlotte. Charlotte received Naz Reid and a package of future draft assets, while other players and draft selections moved among the teams.
The final transaction included:
- LaMelo Ball moving from Charlotte to Minnesota
- Josh Green also moving from Charlotte to Minnesota
- Naz Reid moving to Charlotte
- A 2033 unprotected first-round pick going to Charlotte
- Three future first-round pick swaps
- Three future second-round picks
- Additional players and draft rights moving through the four-team structure
The NBA’s official offseason transaction tracker lists the four-team deal as an official transaction.
For Ball, the trade ended his first NBA chapter.
He was selected by Charlotte with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and spent his first six NBA seasons with the franchise. He won Rookie of the Year and was selected as an All-Star during his time with the Hornets.
Why Did Minnesota Acquire LaMelo Ball?
Minnesota’s need for additional playmaking was an important factor behind the move.
NBA.com reported that Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly entered the offseason looking to address the team’s point-guard situation. Bringing Ball to Minnesota gave the team another primary creator while reducing some of the playmaking responsibility placed on Anthony Edwards.
The pairing is notable because Ball and Edwards have different but complementary offensive skills.
Ball is known for his passing, perimeter shooting and ability to create offense with the ball in his hands. Edwards is an explosive scorer and established franchise centerpiece.
The Timberwolves therefore have the option of using either player as a primary creator depending on the matchup and game situation.
That flexibility was one of the major reasons Minnesota was willing to give up significant assets in the trade.
LaMelo Ball’s 2025-26 Statistics
Before the trade, Ball completed one of his more productive and available NBA seasons.
According to the Charlotte Hornets, he appeared in 72 regular-season games during 2025-26 and averaged:
- 20.1 points per game
- 7.1 assists per game
- 4.8 rebounds per game
- 1.2 steals per game
- 37% shooting from three-point range
- 89.9% from the free-throw line
The Hornets also noted that Ball made 272 three-pointers, a career high at the time.
His 7.1 assists per game ranked ninth in the NBA, according to the Hornets’ season review.
His availability was also notable.
Ball had dealt with injuries during several previous seasons, but he appeared in 72 games in 2025-26 and played in 56 consecutive games to finish the regular season.
That durability allowed him to have a much larger impact on Charlotte’s season than in some of the preceding years.
LaMelo Ball’s 2025-26 Season in Charlotte
The 2025-26 season was an important year for Ball and the Hornets.
Charlotte finished the regular season 44-38 and reached the NBA Play-In Tournament. Ball remained one of the team’s central offensive players throughout the campaign.
The Hornets’ official season review highlighted his increased availability and production as an important factor in the team’s improvement.
Ball also had several standout performances late in the season.
On February 22, 2026, he scored 37 points and tied a franchise record with 10 three-pointers against Washington. During a subsequent 13-3 stretch, he averaged 21.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 40% from three-point range.
Charlotte ultimately reached the Play-In Tournament.
In the first Play-In game against Miami, Ball recorded 30 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 127-126 overtime victory.
The Hornets’ season ended against Orlando, with Ball scoring 23 points in the 121-90 defeat.
LaMelo Ball’s Move to Minnesota
The Timberwolves officially introduced Ball after completing the trade.
NBA.com described the acquisition as the centerpiece of an offseason transformation in Minnesota. The organization entered the summer looking for more point-guard play and ultimately made Ball the major addition.
Minnesota had to give up significant frontcourt talent to complete the transaction.
Naz Reid, who had won the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, became part of Charlotte’s return package. The trade also involved future draft capital.
For Minnesota, the calculation was essentially about changing the team’s offensive structure.
The Timberwolves already had a star scorer in Edwards. What they wanted was another player capable of organizing possessions, creating shots and taking pressure off their leading scorer.
Ball fits that role naturally because he has spent much of his career operating as a high-usage creator.
LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards
Perhaps the most interesting storyline heading into the new season is the partnership between LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards.
Both players entered the NBA in 2020.
Edwards was the No. 1 overall pick, while Ball went No. 3 to Charlotte. Six years later, they are teammates in Minnesota.
The Timberwolves now have two high-profile guards capable of creating offense.
Ball can initiate the offense and distribute to teammates, while Edwards can attack defenses as a scorer. Both can also operate away from the ball, although their effectiveness will depend on how coach Chris Finch structures their possessions.
NBA.com reported that Minnesota hoped Ball’s arrival would help elevate the entire team and reduce the playmaking burden on Edwards.
That does not guarantee a particular outcome, but it clearly explains the basketball logic behind the transaction.
What Officials and the Timberwolves Said
Minnesota president of basketball operations Tim Connelly publicly discussed the potential impact of Ball’s arrival.
Connelly said he believed Ball could “elevate” the team and that the Timberwolves’ environment could support his continued development.
The organization has also emphasized Ball’s ability to create for himself and teammates.
NBA.com’s reporting from the Timberwolves’ offseason described the team’s new backcourt of Edwards and Ball as a major feature of the roster entering the 2026-27 campaign.
The team’s decision to make such a substantial trade also provides a clear indication of how important the point-guard position became during Minnesota’s offseason planning.
LaMelo Ball’s Contract Situation
Ball also remains under a major NBA contract as he begins his Minnesota tenure.
NBA.com reported at the time of the trade that he had three years remaining on a five-year, $203.9 million designated rookie contract.
Current salary information lists Ball at approximately $40.77 million for the 2026-27 season, followed by approximately $43.58 million in 2027-28 and $46.39 million in 2028-29.
The exact treatment of NBA contracts can involve options, incentives, guarantees and salary-cap rules, so headline salary figures should not automatically be interpreted as cash received in a particular season.
Nevertheless, the contract demonstrates that Minnesota acquired Ball as a major long-term piece rather than a short-term rental.
LaMelo Ball’s Injury History and Availability
Availability has been an important part of the conversation around Ball throughout his NBA career.
He missed significant time during several seasons before 2025-26. His 72 appearances in 2025-26 therefore represented a notable change.
The Hornets specifically highlighted that Ball finished the season with 56 consecutive appearances.
That does not erase the earlier injury history, but it provides an important current data point.
For Minnesota, maintaining Ball’s availability will be particularly relevant because the team gave up substantial assets to acquire him.
As of the latest information reviewed for this article, there was no verified report indicating that Ball had suffered a new major injury entering the 2026-27 season.
What Does LaMelo Ball Bring to Minnesota?
Ball’s value goes beyond his scoring average.
His strongest statistical contribution has been his ability to create opportunities for teammates.
His 7.1 assists per game in 2025-26 ranked among the NBA’s better assist totals. He also made 272 three-pointers, giving Minnesota another perimeter threat.
His 6-foot-7 frame also gives him unusual size for a traditional point guard.
That combination allows Minnesota to use different lineup configurations.
For example, the Timberwolves can allow Ball to bring the ball up and initiate offense while Edwards attacks from another position. They can also reverse those responsibilities depending on the matchup.
The presence of two creators can make it harder for opposing defenses to focus exclusively on Edwards.
What Happened to the Charlotte Hornets After the Trade?
Ball’s departure represents a major change for Charlotte.
The Hornets entered the 2026-27 season without two of their major players from the previous campaign: Ball and Miles Bridges. NBA.com reported that Charlotte’s new core is centered around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
Charlotte also added several players during the offseason, including Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Naz Reid, Naz Reid and other roster pieces through multiple transactions.
The organization is therefore entering a new phase rather than simply replacing Ball with another player.
NBA.com described the upcoming season as a new-look Hornets team built around Miller and Knueppel.
Why LaMelo Ball’s Move Matters
The trade matters because it changes the direction of two NBA franchises.
For Minnesota, Ball provides a high-level offensive creator alongside Edwards.
For Charlotte, his departure opens the door for a different roster structure built around younger players and new additions.
For Ball himself, the move creates a fresh environment after six seasons with the franchise that drafted him.
There is also a broader historical angle.
Ball and Edwards were two of the most recognizable selections from the 2020 NBA Draft. Their paths now converge in Minnesota after beginning their careers with different teams.
The upcoming season will therefore provide the first full NBA sample of how the two guards operate together.
What Happens Next for LaMelo Ball?
The next major milestone is the start of the 2026-27 NBA season and Ball’s first official regular-season campaign with Minnesota.
NBA.com has already identified a notable date on the schedule: the Timberwolves are scheduled to visit Charlotte on February 15, which will mark Ball’s return to the Hornets’ home arena.
That game is likely to receive significant attention because Ball spent his first six NBA seasons in Charlotte.
Before then, the immediate focus will be on training camp, preseason preparation and the development of the new Minnesota backcourt.
The central basketball questions are straightforward:
- How will Ball and Edwards divide playmaking responsibilities?
- How will Minnesota use Ball in half-court offense?
- Can Ball maintain the availability he showed in 2025-26?
- How will the Timberwolves compensate for the frontcourt depth they surrendered?
- How quickly can the new roster develop chemistry?
Those questions cannot be answered definitively before the season begins.
LaMelo Ball’s Career Background
Ball entered the NBA after playing professionally overseas and in the United States before being selected third overall by Charlotte in 2020.
He immediately made an impact.
He won NBA Rookie of the Year and was later selected to an NBA All-Star team.
His combination of size, passing creativity, transition play and long-range shooting helped make him one of the NBA’s most recognizable young guards.
His playing style has also made him particularly popular with fans because of his unconventional passes and willingness to attempt difficult shots.
At the same time, injuries affected his availability during several seasons, making his 72-game 2025-26 campaign particularly relevant to his current career trajectory.
LaMelo Ball’s Current Team
As of September 24, 2026, LaMelo Ball is a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
NBA.com lists him as Minnesota’s No. 1 guard, with his 2025-26 statistics carrying over on his player profile at 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
The Timberwolves’ current roster also includes Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo and other players around the new-look lineup.
That gives Minnesota a roster with significant established talent entering the new season.
Why Fans Are Watching LaMelo Ball Closely
Ball’s first season in Minnesota represents a meaningful reset.
In Charlotte, he was the central face of the franchise for several years. In Minnesota, he joins a team where another young star, Edwards, already occupies the primary spotlight.
That could change how Ball plays.
He may not need to carry the entire offensive creation burden every night. Instead, he can share responsibilities with Edwards and potentially spend more possessions attacking defenses that are already occupied by another elite scorer.
The success of that arrangement will ultimately be determined by actual games rather than offseason expectations.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Confirmed
- LaMelo Ball was traded from Charlotte to Minnesota in a four-team transaction.
- He averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 72 games during 2025-26.
- He is entering the 2026-27 season as a Timberwolves guard.
- Minnesota acquired him partly to address its need for additional playmaking.
- Ball and Anthony Edwards are now teammates.
- Minnesota is scheduled to visit Charlotte on February 15, 2027.
Still to be determined
- How effective the Ball-Edwards partnership will be over a full season.
- Whether Ball will maintain his 2025-26 level of availability.
- How Minnesota’s new rotation will work once competitive games begin.
- Whether Ball’s role will change significantly compared with his Charlotte years.
Keeping these categories separate is important because offseason projections are not the same as established results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does LaMelo Ball play for now?
LaMelo Ball plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota acquired him from the Charlotte Hornets in a four-team trade during the 2026 offseason.
Did LaMelo Ball leave the Charlotte Hornets?
Yes. Ball spent his first six NBA seasons with Charlotte before being traded to Minnesota in 2026.
Why did the Timberwolves trade for LaMelo Ball?
Minnesota wanted another high-level point guard and playmaker to complement Anthony Edwards. NBA.com reported that the move was intended in part to reduce the playmaking burden on Edwards.
What were LaMelo Ball’s stats in 2025-26?
Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game over 72 regular-season appearances for Charlotte. He also shot 37% from three-point range and 89.9% from the free-throw line.
Is LaMelo Ball playing with Anthony Edwards?
Yes. Ball and Anthony Edwards are teammates on the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2026-27 season. Both were top-three selections in the 2020 NBA Draft.
How old is LaMelo Ball?
LaMelo Ball was born on August 22, 2001. NBA.com lists him as 25 years old in September 2026.
What is LaMelo Ball’s contract?
NBA.com reported that Ball had three years remaining on a five-year, $203.9 million designated rookie contract when Minnesota acquired him. Current salary listings put his 2026-27 salary at approximately $40.77 million.
When will LaMelo Ball return to Charlotte?
Minnesota’s 2026-27 schedule includes a game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte on February 15, 2027. NBA.com identifies it as Ball’s return game.
Is LaMelo Ball injured right now?
The latest reliable information reviewed for this article does not identify a new major injury to Ball entering the 2026-27 season. His most recent completed regular season was his second-most active NBA season, with 72 appearances.
