The Hornets traded Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota on Thursday in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ball's name has been in the rumor mill for quite some time, but this was certainly unexpected. Minnesota now teams Anthony Edwards up with an elite playmaker, putting the No. 1 and No. 3 picks from the 2020 NBA Draft together. Charania notes that the Hornets didn't actively shop Ball, but they received multiple offers, and this is the route they went. As far as landing spots go, Ball could have a field day setting up the likes of Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.

Ball contributed 23 points (7-17 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), five assists and two rebounds across 25 minutes in Friday's 121-90 Play-In Tournament loss to the Magic.

EDGE Analysis

Ball didn't deliver his most efficient performance during Friday's season-ending loss, though he did lead the Hornets with 23 points. He also paced the team in assists. The 24-year-old point guard dropped 20-plus points in each of Charlotte's Play-In Tournament games and in 35 of his 72 regular-season appearances (69 starts). Ball took a step back on the offensive end but still averaged at least 20 points per game for a fifth consecutive campaign, finishing the regular season with averages of 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes per tilt.

Ball contributed 30 points (12-31 FG, 2-16 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 assists, five rebounds, one steal and one block across 40 minutes in Tuesday's 127-126 overtime win over the Heat in the Play-In Tournament.

EDGE Analysis

Ball struggled mightily from beyond the arc but still scored a game-high 30 points, including the go-ahead layup in overtime. The star point guard also led all players in assists en route to his second double-double of April. Ball and the Hornets are now set to face the loser of Wednesday's matchup between the Magic and 76ers, and a win would send Charlotte to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.

Ball registered 19 points (7-19 FG, 5-16 3Pt), seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block over 29 minutes during Sunday's 110-96 win over the Knicks.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't Ball's most efficient game, and he did cough up five turnovers, but he delivered with the counting stats and helped the Hornets get the win. Ball suited up for 72 games this season, his second-highest total since his sophomore campaign, and finished with averages of 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 3.8 triples and 1.2 steals per game.

Ball totaled 27 points (7-20 FG, 6-16 3Pt, 7-7 FT), five rebounds, eight assists, one block and two steals over 33 minutes during Friday's 118-100 loss to the Pistons.

EDGE Analysis

The Hornets didn't have their best performance in this matchup against the No. 1 seed in the East, but Ball delivered a strong line that saw him finish just two assists away from a double-double. The lack of efficiency can be a concern, but fantasy managers will gladly overlook that as long as Ball continues to fill the stat sheet as he did Friday. Ball was coming off back-to-back games with at least 35 points, and while his role as the Hornets' go-to offensive weapon is not under threat, it remains to be seen if he'll suit up in the season finale against the Knicks on Sunday.

Ball finished with 35 points (13-22 FG, 7-14 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, eight assists and one steal in 31 minutes during Sunday's 122-108 victory over the Timberwolves.

EDGE Analysis

Ball reached 35 points for the third time this campaign, finishing three points shy of his season-best mark of 38 points. The Hornets improved to 43-36 with the win and are sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining on the schedule.

Ball contributed 18 points (6-15 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, nine assists and two steals over 30 minutes during Friday's 129-108 win over the Pacers.

EDGE Analysis

The Hornets have now won eight of their last 10 games and boast 18 victories of at least 20 points, a new franchise record. Ball has been balling since the All-Star break with averages of 20.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 4.0 triples, 1.3 steals and just 2.1 turnovers per contest, which has been good enough for top-30 value in 9-cat leagues.

Ball finished with 15 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, 11 assists and one steal in 25 minutes during Thursday's 127-107 win over the Suns.

EDGE Analysis

This was Ball's first double-double since March 17, and his second since the All-Star break, but the star guard continues to have a massive influence on offense for a rising Hornets team. Ball is averaging 20.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game since the All-Star break. Even if he has failed to reach the 20-point mark in his last three outings, Ball should remain a reliable starter across all fantasy formats due to his ability to fill the stat sheet.

Ball produced 19 points (7-19 FG, 3-12 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal over 26 minutes during Sunday's 114-99 loss to the Celtics.

EDGE Analysis

Ball got off to a sluggish start in this one, opening the game with six straight misses, and he was scoreless through the third quarter of action. However, he caught fire during the final frame, scoring 12 of his 19 points on 5-for-7 shooting, as he attempted to will his team to victory. Ultimately, with the rest of his teammates struggling, the Hornets couldn't mount a comeback and dropped their second straight game.

Ball registered 22 points (7-14 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six assists and five rebounds over 36 minutes during the Hornets' 114-103 win over the Knicks on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Ball helped the Hornets set the tone early with 10 points in the first quarter, and his 22 points were second most on the team behind rookie Kon Knueppel (26). Ball has scored at least 20 points in six of his last seven outings, and over that span he has averaged 24.0 points, 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 4.9 threes and 1.9 steals over 27.6 minutes per game. He has seen his averages decrease across the board this season while working alongside Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges; nonetheless, Ball has been a key piece to Charlotte's resurgent season.