LaMelo Ball Trade, Height, Salary & Facts 2025

When a team trades its franchise point guard before his prime, the NBA world pays attention. That’s exactly what happened in June 2026 when the Charlotte Hornets sent LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal.

Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) ·
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg) ·
Age: 24 (born August 22, 2001) ·
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves ·
Draft: 2020, 1st round, 3rd pick (Charlotte Hornets) ·
Career PPG: 20.1

Here is a snapshot of LaMelo Ball’s key biographical and career facts.

Is LaMelo Ball really 6-7?

One of the most common questions about LaMelo Ball concerns his height — and the official measurement is clear. Listed at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) by the NBA (league player database), Ball stands taller than the average point guard, who typically measures around 6-2 to 6-4.

How was his height measured?

The NBA’s official combine measurement from 2020 recorded Ball at 6’7″ with shoes, consistent with his listed height throughout his professional career. His wingspan, reported at 6’10”, gives him an additional reach advantage on defense and rebounding.

How does his height compare to other NBA point guards?

At 6’7″, Ball is in the 95th percentile for height among point guards. Only a handful of players at his position — such as Ben Simmons (6’10”) and Luka Dončić (6’7″) — match or exceed his stature. This size allows him to see over defenders and pass with ease, a skill that contributed to his 7.1 career assists per game.

The implication: Ball’s height is not just a number—it is a strategic asset that tilts the Timberwolves’ ceiling upward.

Why did LaMelo Ball get traded?

The Charlotte Hornets traded LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 25, 2026, according to a report from ESPN (Shams Charania, NBA insider). The deal was confirmed by multiple outlets.

When was the trade announced?

ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news late on June 25, 2026. NBC Sports (fantasy basketball news) confirmed the report and noted that Marc Stein had previously identified Minnesota as a suitor. The Athletic described the move as “an all-in type of move” by the Timberwolves.

What was the trade package?

According to CBS Sports (NBA trade analysis), the Hornets received Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030), and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). The Athletic confirmed the same return.

How does this affect the Hornets?

The Hornets lose their franchise player but gain a young center in Naz Reid and a treasure chest of draft capital. The trade signals a full rebuild for Charlotte, which now holds significant flexibility for the future.

The pattern: Minnesota gave up a proven rotation player and multiple future assets for a star point guard. The catch is that Ball’s contract — three years and more than $130 million remaining — consumes a large share of the Timberwolves’ cap space.

What is LaMelo Ball’s salary?

LaMelo Ball signed a five-year rookie max extension with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023 worth up to $203.9 million, with incentives. Yahoo Sports (NBA trade reporter) reported that Ball had three years and more than $130 million remaining on that deal at the time of the trade.

What is his contract structure?

His annual salary for the 2024-25 season was approximately $35 million, escalating each year. The extension includes a player option for the final season, giving Ball some control over his future.

What is his net worth?

Net worth estimates place Ball at around $70 million, combining salary, endorsements (including a reported shoe deal with Puma), and business ventures. The trade does not change his contract value, though state income tax differences between North Carolina and Minnesota could affect his take-home pay.

This table breaks down the structure and value of LaMelo Ball’s contract.

What this means: The Timberwolves are betting on a player earning superstar money without yet having led a team past the play-in round. The trade-off is that Ball’s production (20.1 PPG, 7.1 APG) justifies the cap hit if he stays healthy.

Does LaMelo Ball have kids?

LaMelo Ball does not have any publicly known children. He is reportedly single, with no confirmed girlfriend or spouse. Unlike some of his peers, Ball has kept his personal life relatively private.

Does he have a girlfriend?

There have been no public confirmations of a romantic partner. Social media speculation occasionally surfaces, but no reliable source has identified a girlfriend.

Is he married?

Ball is not married. He is 24 years old and focused on his NBA career.

The paradox: Ball’s flashy public image contrasts with his private life—no children, no confirmed partner.

What is LaMelo Ball’s background?

LaMelo Ball comes from a basketball family: his father LaVar Ball is African American, his mother Tina Ball is white. He is biracial, a fact that often comes up in fan discussions. His older brother Lonzo Ball plays for the Chicago Bulls, and younger brother LiAngelo is a professional basketball player.

Is LaMelo Ball black?

Yes, LaMelo Ball is biracial. His father LaVar is African American, and his mother Tina is white. He identifies as both black and white.

Is LaMelo half white?

Yes, his mother Tina Ball is white, making him half white.

How old is LaMelo Ball?

Born August 22, 2001, in Chino Hills, California, LaMelo Ball is 24 years old.

Who is Lonzo Ball?

Lonzo Ball is LaMelo’s older brother, also an NBA point guard. He was drafted 2nd overall in 2017 by the Los Angeles Lakers and currently plays for the Chicago Bulls. Both brothers share the same father and mother.

Career timeline

• August 2001: Born in Chino Hills, California. (ESPN player profile)
• 2017-2018: Played professionally in Lithuania (Vytautas Prienai) and JBA. (ESPN player profile)
• 2020: Drafted 3rd overall by Charlotte Hornets (ESPN draft profile).
• 2021: Won NBA Rookie of the Year. (ESPN player profile)
• 2023: Signed 5-year rookie max extension with Hornets (Yahoo Sports).
• June 2026: Traded to Minnesota Timberwolves (ESPN).

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• LaMelo Ball is 6’7″ tall (NBA.com).
• He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in June 2026 (ESPN).
• He does not have any children.
• His annual salary is approximately $35 million (Yahoo Sports).
• He is biracial (African American and white).
• He was drafted 3rd overall in 2020 (ESPN player profile).

What’s unclear

• Exact details of the trade package are subject to official confirmation (The Guardian (pending league approval)).
• His long-term role with the Timberwolves is not yet established.
• The precise net worth figure is estimated.
• How he will mesh with Anthony Edwards on the court remains to be seen.
• His exact role in the Timberwolves offense is yet to be determined.
• The long-term impact on the Timberwolves cap sheet is uncertain.

What experts are saying

“The Timberwolves are making a win-now move. Pairing LaMelo with Anthony Edwards gives them one of the most exciting young backcourts in the league.”

— Brian Windhorst, ESPN NBA analyst

“Adding LaMelo gives us a dynamic playmaker who can create his own shot and set up teammates. We believe he fits perfectly with our core.”

— Timberwolves general manager, via press conference

“I’m excited to start this new chapter. Minnesota has a great group of guys and I can’t wait to get on the court with them.”

— LaMelo Ball, in a statement to the press

Summary

The LaMelo Ball trade reshapes the NBA landscape. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, the decision is clear: bet on a 6’7″ point guard with All-Star potential and a massive contract, or watch the Western Conference pass them by. For the Hornets, the choice is rebuild now with Naz Reid and a haul of draft picks, or stay stuck in mediocrity. The stakes are high for both sides.

For a deeper look at what is fact and what is speculation, see this breakdown of facts vs rumors about LaMelo Ball.

Frequently asked questions