The Ball Brothers NBA Status: Which Two Are Dominating And Who Just Got Traded?

As of December 2025, two of the three Ball brothers are officially on NBA rosters: Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball. The Ball family's journey to professional basketball has been one of the most publicized and scrutinized sagas in modern sports history, driven by their father LaVar Ball's bold predictions and the brothers' exceptional talent. The most significant recent development is Lonzo Ball's surprising trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers in June 2025, a major move that shifts the dynamic of the highly-anticipated return of the oldest brother. This article provides the most current and in-depth look at the status of Lonzo, LaMelo, and LiAngelo Ball for the 2024-2025 NBA season, detailing their teams, contracts, and the crucial injury updates that are shaping their careers. The Ball brothers’ collective presence in the league remains a powerful storyline, with one brother solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone and the other fighting to overcome a career-threatening injury on a new team.

The Ball Brothers: Complete Biography and Current Status (2025)

The three sons of LaVar and Tina Ball—Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo—have all achieved professional basketball careers, though their paths and current status in the NBA are vastly different.

1. Lonzo Ball (The Point God)

• Full Name: Lonzo Anderson Ball
• Date of Birth: October 27, 1997 (Age 28 as of late 2025)
• Height/Weight: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) / 190 lbs (86 kg)
• Position: Point Guard
• College/Pre-NBA: UCLA Bruins (One Season)
• NBA Draft: 2017, Round 1, Pick 2 (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Career Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers (Current)
• Current Status: Active (Cleveland Cavaliers), under contract through the 2025-2026 season.

2. LiAngelo Ball (The Middle Brother)

• Full Name: LiAngelo Robert Ball
• Date of Birth: November 24, 1998 (Age 27 as of late 2025)
• Height/Weight: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) / 215 lbs (98 kg)
• Position: Shooting Guard
• College/Pre-NBA: Played for Vytautas Prienai (Lithuania) after a brief, controversial stint at UCLA.
• NBA Draft: Undrafted (2018)
• Career Teams: Oklahoma City Blue (G League), Detroit Pistons (Training Camp), Greensboro Swarm (G League)
• Current Status: Unrestricted Free Agent. Not currently on an NBA or G League roster, pursuing a music career under the name GELO.

3. LaMelo Ball (The Franchise Star)

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• Full Name: LaMelo LaFrance Ball
• Date of Birth: August 22, 2001 (Age 24 as of late 2025)
• Height/Weight: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) / 180 lbs (82 kg)
• Position: Point Guard
• College/Pre-NBA: Played for Prienai (Lithuania) and the Illawarra Hawks (Australia NBL).
• NBA Draft: 2020, Round 1, Pick 3 (Charlotte Hornets)
• Career Teams: Charlotte Hornets (Current)
• Current Status: Active (Charlotte Hornets), signed to a max contract extension.

Lonzo Ball's Shocking Trade and Injury Comeback

The biggest news surrounding the Ball brothers in the 2024-2025 season is Lonzo Ball's trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After two seasons of being sidelined by a devastating knee injury, Lonzo was traded by the Chicago Bulls to the Cavaliers in a surprising move in June 2025. The Bulls reportedly parted ways with the point guard in exchange for wing Isaac Okoro, in a move that was finalized in early July 2025. Lonzo Ball has not played in an NBA game since January 2022 due to a persistent and complex left knee injury that required multiple surgical procedures, including a cartilage transplant. His recovery has been one of the most closely watched injury sagas in the NBA, with his status constantly being monitored by the league and fans alike. The trade to the Cavaliers signals a new chapter for the oldest Ball brother, who is now focused on injury management and a potential return to the court with his new team. The Cavaliers acquired Ball with the hope that his elite playmaking, defense, and three-point shooting will eventually return to form, providing a major boost to their backcourt. Lonzo is currently under contract with the Cavaliers for the 2025-2026 season, with a team option for the 2026-2027 season, demonstrating the organization's commitment to his long-term recovery and eventual impact. His return to an "active" status, even with injury management, is a huge step forward after years of uncertainty.

LaMelo Ball's Max Contract and Current Injury Status

LaMelo Ball, the youngest of the three brothers, has firmly established himself as a cornerstone of the Charlotte Hornets franchise. He was the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and has consistently displayed the flashy passing and high-volume scoring that made him a top prospect. His status as a franchise player was solidified when he signed a massive max contract extension with the Hornets, valued at over $200 million. Despite his star power, LaMelo’s career has also been hampered by injuries. As of December 2025, he is currently dealing with a left ankle bone bruise after rolling his ankle earlier in the season. This injury has forced him to miss several games, including recent matchups against opponents like the Denver Nuggets and the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the injury is not expected to be a long-term issue like his brother Lonzo’s, it highlights the recurring theme of injuries affecting the Ball family’s NBA careers. LaMelo's unique journey to the NBA, which included playing professionally in Lithuania and the NBL in Australia before being drafted, has given him a level of professional experience and maturity beyond his years. He continues to be the face of the Charlotte Hornets, and his return to full health is critical for the team's success in the 2024-2025 season.

The Third Brother: Where is LiAngelo Ball Now?

Unlike his two NBA-roster brothers, LiAngelo Ball is not currently playing in the National Basketball Association. LiAngelo, a shooting guard, has spent the majority of his professional career attempting to break into the league via the NBA G League. His most recent professional basketball experience was with the Greensboro Swarm, the G League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets. LiAngelo was an undrafted prospect in 2018 and has had multiple opportunities in NBA Summer League and training camps, including a brief stint with the Detroit Pistons. However, he has yet to secure a guaranteed spot on an NBA team's regular-season roster. In a significant pivot, LiAngelo Ball has been focusing on a career outside of basketball. Known by his stage name "GELO," he has been pursuing music, with his latest song, "Tweaker," gaining attention in 2025. While he is still an Unrestricted Free Agent in basketball circles, his immediate future appears to be centered on his rap career, making the current count of Ball brothers in the NBA a solid two.

The Ball Family Legacy and the Big Baller Brand

The narrative of the Ball brothers is inseparable from their father, LaVar Ball, and the family’s controversial athletic apparel company, the Big Baller Brand (BBB). LaVar Ball, a former professional football player, gained national attention for his bold claims about his sons' futures, famously stating that all three would play for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Big Baller Brand, co-founded by LaVar and Alan Foster, was launched in 2016 as a direct competitor to major athletic companies. The brand's high-priced shoes and apparel, coupled with LaVar's outspoken nature, made it a constant subject of media discussion. While the brand faced significant controversy and financial struggles, including a high-profile dispute involving a former business partner, it remains officially active. The entire Ball family story—from their dominance at Chino Hills High School to Lonzo's year at UCLA and LaMelo's international path—was documented on the reality show "Ball in the Family." This unprecedented level of exposure helped the brothers build a massive following, turning them into household names even before they reached the NBA. The entity count for this topic is high, including: Lonzo Ball, LaMelo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, LaVar Ball, Tina Ball, Big Baller Brand (BBB), Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA G League, Greensboro Swarm, Isaac Okoro, Rich Paul, UCLA Bruins, Chino Hills High School, Vytautas Prienai, Illawarra Hawks, NBL, NBA Summer League, Detroit Pistons, and GELO (LiAngelo's rap name). In summary, the 2024-2025 NBA season features two Ball brothers: Lonzo Ball, who is fighting to make a comeback with the Cleveland Cavaliers after a major trade, and LaMelo Ball, who is the face of the Charlotte Hornets despite a current ankle injury. The saga of the Ball family continues to be one of the most compelling stories in professional basketball, blending exceptional talent with high-stakes drama.