LaMelo Ball is entering the 2026–27 NBA season with the Minnesota Timberwolves after Charlotte traded him to Minnesota in June 2026. The deal sent Ball and Josh Green to the Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid and a package of future draft assets. Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 72 games for Charlotte in 2025–26, and Minnesota now plans to use him alongside Anthony Edwards as part of its new-look roster.
Introduction
LaMelo Ball is entering a major new chapter of his NBA career.
The 25-year-old guard is no longer a member of the Charlotte Hornets. In June 2026, the Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team transaction that reshaped both franchises. Minnesota acquired Ball as part of an offseason push to strengthen a team that had already reached the Western Conference semifinals the previous season.
The move is particularly significant because Ball spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with Charlotte after the Hornets selected him No. 3 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Now, he is expected to form one of the league’s most intriguing backcourts with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota.
The trade also marked a major strategic change for Charlotte. The Hornets moved away from the Ball-centered version of their roster and entered the 2026–27 season with a new core built around players including Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
What Happened to LaMelo Ball?
The major development involving LaMelo Ball was his trade from Charlotte to Minnesota.
The Timberwolves officially acquired Ball in June 2026 as part of a four-team deal. Josh Green also went to Minnesota, while Charlotte received Naz Reid and a collection of future draft assets.
The reported draft package included:
- A 2033 unprotected first-round pick
- First-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030
- Second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033
- Naz Reid
The trade represented a significant change for both organizations.
For Minnesota, Ball adds another high-level offensive creator to a roster already led by Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert.
For Charlotte, the transaction signaled a move toward a different long-term roster construction.
LaMelo Ball Is Now a Minnesota Timberwolves Player
NBA.com currently lists LaMelo Ball as a Minnesota Timberwolves guard. His NBA profile lists him at 6-foot-7 and 180 pounds, with his birth date recorded as August 22, 2001.
His current NBA identity is therefore different from the one many fans associated with him during his first six seasons.
Ball became one of Charlotte’s most recognizable players after being selected third overall in 2020. He won Rookie of the Year and earned an All-Star selection during his Charlotte tenure.
The Timberwolves are now hoping his playmaking and scoring can complement Edwards.
NBA.com’s 2026–27 Minnesota season preview specifically identifies Ball as one of the team’s key offseason additions alongside Edwards and Gobert.
LaMelo Ball’s 2025–26 Statistics
Ball’s final season in Charlotte was an important one from an availability standpoint.
He appeared in 72 regular-season games, his second-highest total in an NBA season, after missing significant time during several previous campaigns. Charlotte’s official season review said he also played the final 56 consecutive games of the regular season.
His 2025–26 regular-season numbers were:
- 20.1 points per game
- 4.8 rebounds per game
- 7.1 assists per game
- 1.2 steals per game
- 41% field-goal shooting
- 37% three-point shooting
- 89.9% free-throw shooting
- 72 games played
The seven assists per game ranked ninth in the NBA, according to Charlotte’s official season review. He also made 272 three-pointers, which the Hornets noted was the second-highest single-season total in both league and franchise history behind teammate Kon Knueppel.
These numbers help explain why Minnesota was willing to make a major investment in acquiring him.
Ball’s Final Games With Charlotte
Ball finished his Charlotte career with several strong performances in the 2026 Play-In Tournament.
On April 14, he scored 30 points and recorded 10 assists in Charlotte’s 127–126 overtime victory over Miami. NBA.com lists him as playing 40 minutes in that game.
Charlotte’s season ended in the following Play-In game against Orlando.
Ball scored 23 points with five assists and two rebounds in a 121–90 defeat, bringing his 2025–26 season to an end.
His final Charlotte season was therefore much more durable than several of the preceding seasons in which injuries had limited his availability.
Why Did Charlotte Trade LaMelo Ball?
The Hornets’ decision attracted considerable attention because Ball had been the centerpiece of the franchise since his arrival.
Charlotte had won 44 games in 2025–26, a substantial improvement from the previous season, and reached the Play-In Tournament.
That made the decision to trade an All-Star-level guard notable.
Charlotte general manager Jeff Peterson explained that the organization was thinking about long-term sustainability when making the move. The Associated Press reported that Peterson addressed the trade during Summer League in July and framed the decision around the organization’s long-term direction rather than simply maintaining the previous roster.
Charlotte subsequently continued reshaping its roster.
NBA.com’s 2026–27 season preview says the Hornets traded both LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges during the offseason and are now building around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards: Why the Pairing Matters
One of the biggest storylines surrounding Ball’s move to Minnesota is his new backcourt partnership with Anthony Edwards.
The two guards were selected No. 1 and No. 3 respectively in the 2020 NBA Draft, and their careers have developed along different paths.
Edwards has become the primary star of Minnesota’s roster, while Ball became Charlotte’s leading creator and playmaker.
The Timberwolves now have both players on the same team.
Ball brings:
- Passing and playmaking
- Perimeter shooting
- Pick-and-roll creation
- Transition play
- Size for a guard
- Experience as a primary offensive creator
Edwards provides another major scoring option.
The 2026–27 Timberwolves season preview identifies Ball, Edwards and Rudy Gobert as central pieces of Minnesota’s roster.
The exact way the coaching staff will distribute ball-handling responsibilities will become clearer once the regular season begins.
What Is LaMelo Ball’s Contract?
Ball entered Minnesota with significant guaranteed salary remaining on the contract he originally signed with Charlotte.
NBA.com reported when the trade was completed that Ball had three years remaining on a five-year, $203.9 million designated rookie contract.
NBA salary databases currently list his scheduled salaries at approximately:
- 2026–27: $40.8 million
- 2027–28: $43.6 million
- 2028–29: $46.4 million
The NBA’s official transaction and player information should be treated as the authoritative source for league transactions and player status; salary figures can vary slightly between databases depending on accounting conventions.
LaMelo Ball’s Injury History and Availability
Availability has been an important part of Ball’s NBA story.
He missed substantial stretches in several seasons before 2025–26. That made his 72-game campaign particularly notable.
Charlotte’s official review highlighted that Ball played 56 consecutive games to close the regular season.
As of the latest information available on September 24, 2026, there is no verified report in the sources reviewed indicating that Ball is dealing with a new major injury entering the 2026–27 season.
That distinction matters because previous injuries have affected his playing time, while his 2025–26 availability represented a meaningful change.
What the Timberwolves Are Building
Minnesota enters the 2026–27 season after another deep playoff run.
NBA.com’s season preview records the Timberwolves’ 2025–26 regular-season record as 49–33 and says the team reached the Western Conference semifinals.
The addition of Ball gives the roster another high-level offensive creator.
The Timberwolves’ core includes:
- LaMelo Ball
- Anthony Edwards
- Rudy Gobert
- Jaden McDaniels
- Ayo Dosunmu
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Jonathan Kuminga
The team’s offseason also included several other roster changes, making Ball part of a broader attempt to reshape the roster rather than an isolated addition.
What Officials and Organizations Have Said
The most important official information comes from the NBA and the two teams.
NBA.com confirmed the Ball trade in June and reported that Minnesota acquired him as part of the multi-team transaction. The league also documented his 2025–26 production and the assets exchanged in the deal.
Charlotte general manager Jeff Peterson subsequently discussed the trade publicly and explained that the organization’s focus was on building sustainable long-term success. That statement provides important context because Charlotte had just produced a 44-win season.
Minnesota’s official season outlook now identifies Ball as a major addition to a team attempting to build on three consecutive deep playoff runs.
Why LaMelo Ball’s Move Matters
The trade matters for several reasons.
1. It changes Ball’s career trajectory
Ball spent his first six NBA seasons with Charlotte. Moving to Minnesota gives him a different competitive environment and a new group of teammates.
2. It creates a new star backcourt
The Ball-Edwards pairing will be one of the most closely watched aspects of Minnesota’s 2026–27 season.
3. It changes Charlotte’s identity
Charlotte is no longer built around Ball.
The Hornets have instead moved toward a younger core centered on Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
4. Ball enters the season after a healthier campaign
His 72-game season in 2025–26 was important because availability had previously been an issue.
5. The trade involved major future assets
Charlotte received multiple future draft selections and swaps in addition to Naz Reid, giving the organization significant flexibility beyond the immediate roster change.
What Happens Next for LaMelo Ball?
The next major step is the start of the 2026–27 NBA regular season.
Minnesota’s preseason and training-camp period will provide the first extended opportunity to see how Ball fits alongside Edwards and the rest of the Timberwolves’ rotation.
Key questions include:
- How much will Ball handle the ball?
- How will his playmaking complement Edwards?
- How will Minnesota use two high-level creators in the same backcourt?
- Can Ball maintain the availability he showed in 2025–26?
- How quickly will the new-look roster develop chemistry?
Those questions cannot be answered definitively until the season is underway.
For now, the confirmed development is straightforward: LaMelo Ball is a Timberwolves player and is preparing for his first season in Minnesota. NBA.com lists him on Minnesota’s current roster, while the league’s 2026–27 preview identifies him as a major offseason addition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is LaMelo Ball?
LaMelo Ball is an American professional basketball guard who was selected No. 3 overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020 NBA Draft. He won NBA Rookie of the Year and later became an All-Star. He now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
What team does LaMelo Ball play for in 2026?
LaMelo Ball plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota acquired him from Charlotte in June 2026.
When was LaMelo Ball traded?
The trade was officially announced on June 25, 2026. Ball and Josh Green went from Charlotte to Minnesota in the multi-team transaction.
Why did the Hornets trade LaMelo Ball?
Charlotte general manager Jeff Peterson said the decision was made with the organization’s long-term sustainability in mind. The Hornets subsequently moved toward a roster centered on Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
What were LaMelo Ball’s 2025–26 stats?
Ball averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while appearing in 72 regular-season games for Charlotte.
Will LaMelo Ball play with Anthony Edwards?
Yes. Ball and Anthony Edwards are both members of the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2026–27 season. NBA.com’s season preview identifies the two guards as central parts of Minnesota’s new-look roster.
How old is LaMelo Ball?
LaMelo Ball was born on August 22, 2001, making him 25 years old as of September 24, 2026.
Is LaMelo Ball injured right now?
The latest sources reviewed for this article do not report a new major injury to Ball entering the 2026–27 season. His 2025–26 season was notable for improved availability, with 72 regular-season appearances.
