The Charlotte Hornets have traded star guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal that reshapes both franchises, according to league sources. The trade sends Ball, a former Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star, to Minnesota in exchange for a package centered around guard Anthony Edwards and multiple draft picks.
Trade Details Emerge
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Timberwolves will send Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and three future first-round picks to Charlotte for Ball and center Nick Richards. The Hornets also receive a 2027 pick swap. The deal is expected to be finalized once the league office approves the paperwork.
Ball, 24, averaged 23.9 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game last season, earning his second All-Star selection. He has struggled with injuries, playing only 58 games in 2024-25, but remains one of the league's most dynamic playmakers. The Timberwolves view him as the missing piece to complement Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.
Impact on Both Teams
For the Hornets, the trade signals a full rebuild around Edwards, 23, who averaged 24.6 points and 5.8 assists last season. Charlotte also gains salary cap flexibility and a cache of draft assets. “This is a move that positions us for long-term success,” said Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak in a statement.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are all-in on winning now. Ball's playmaking and scoring should alleviate pressure on Towns and Gobert, though his injury history remains a concern. Minnesota finished fifth in the Western Conference last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Reaction from the League
NBA analysts have praised the trade as a win-win. “Minnesota gets a top-15 player in Ball, while Charlotte gets a young star in Edwards and picks,” said ESPN's Bobby Marks. “This could shift the balance of power in both conferences.”
The deal also has financial implications: Ball is owed $206 million over the next four years, while Edwards is on a rookie-scale contract. The Timberwolves will take on additional luxury tax payments, but owner Glen Taylor has signaled willingness to spend for a championship contender.
The trade is expected to be officially announced on July 6, when the league's moratorium ends.
