LaMelo Ball embraced a new chapter with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, saying his move from the Charlotte Hornets was part of a bigger plan as he joined a team built around playoff success and Anthony Edwards.
“I feel like it’s God’s plan,” Ball said during his introductory press conference. “Like I said, I just leave it up to him and I just feel extremely blessed.”
Minnesota acquired Ball and Josh Green from Charlotte in a major offseason trade that sent Naz Reid and draft assets to the Hornets. The move reshaped the Timberwolves’ roster after they finished the 2025-26 regular season 49-33 and reached the Western Conference semifinals before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.
Ball arrives in Minnesota after six seasons with Charlotte, where he averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 303 career games. The 24-year-old guard made one All-Star team in 2021-22 and was named Rookie of the Year in 2021.
The 2025-26 season marked one of Ball’s healthiest and most productive campaigns. He played 72 games, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 36.8% from three-point range on 10.3 attempts per game. He joined Luka Doncic, James Harden and Jamal Murray as the only players to average at least 20 points, seven assists and three made three-pointers per game.
Minnesota president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said Ball’s combination of scoring and playmaking was a major reason the team pursued the trade.
“He’s a lead guard, he’s a real point guard, which are hard to find,” Connelly said. “We think there’s a whole another level of defensive component that he can kind of unlock with his positional size, with his instincts, and with his IQ.”
The Timberwolves believe Ball’s offensive skill set will complement Edwards, who averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games last season while shooting 39.9% from three-point range.
Ball said he has already developed a relationship with Edwards and is looking forward to sharing the backcourt with him.
“I know Ant for a minute, so we’ve been talking,” Ball said. “Just everybody excited and we ready to get to work.”
Minnesota head coach Chris Finch highlighted how Ball can change the structure of the offense by creating more opportunities for the team’s stars.
“He gives us a point guard,” Finch said. “He can help us generate more catch-and-shoot three-point shots for Anthony, who’s absolutely elite at that, and take some of the burden of handling and creating off of his hands.”
Green said the opportunity to join a consistent contender was a major factor in his excitement about the move.
“I think just being a part of a winning environment,” Green said. “I’ve been lucky enough to play here a bunch of times in the Western Conference Finals and just to be able to feel the atmosphere and energy excites me.”
The Timberwolves will enter the 2026-27 season with a new-look roster after moving on from Reid and Julius Randle, who combined for 34.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game last season. Minnesota used the 33rd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to select Isaiah Evans and added Trey Kaufman-Renn with the 59th pick, but the team still needs additional frontcourt depth behind Rudy Gobert and rookie Joan Beringer.
Despite the changes, Ball believes the Timberwolves’ defensive identity and playoff experience can help him reach another level.
“I feel like it could do a lot,” Ball said about joining a winning environment. “I’m just coming here ready to play and I’m here to learn and just give them my all.”
