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Legality Of LaMelo Ball’s Automobile Registration Piques Interest As Charlotte Residents Celebrate Safe Streets

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iStockphoto / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

LaMelo Ball's car is registered in the state of Montana.


LaMelo Ball is on his way out of Charlotte. The Hornets star was traded to the Timberwolves ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.

Photos of the hooper’s cars being transported to Minnesota surfaced on Tuesday. North Carolina residents are celebrating one hilarious victory.

Ball was part of a blockbuster trade that will send him to Minneapolis. The Hornets will receive Naz Reid and a handful of future draft picks. Ball will soon be paired in a backcourt with Anthony Edwards.

The former first-rounder is in the final stages of packing his belongings. His seven-figure car collection is included in that haul.

LaMelo Ball is leaving Charlotte.

The 24-year-old was drafted by the organization in 2020 with the No. 3 overall pick. Since, he’s developed into one of the league’s most dangerous scoring threats.

Ball won the Rookie of the Year in his debut season. He’s gone onto post 20-point scoring averages in each of his last five campaigns.

Charlotte did not necessarily shop its top player around the league. It did, however, listen when suitors came calling. They agreed on a price with Minnesota. That deal is now done.

Images of the sharpshooter loading up his automobile collection surfaced on social media this week. He is ready to make the 600-mile trip north to join his new squad.

While the loss is painful to a number of Hornets fans, many in Charlotte are celebrating. The streets will soon be rid of LaMelo Ball’s reckless driving habits.

Charlotte streets are safer.

His driving offenses piled up while in North Carolina. In 2023, a series of videos was posted showing him repeatedly running red lights while leaving the Hornets’ arena. A year later, he was accused of running over an 11-year-old kid’s foot as the youngster asked for an autograph.

In February of 2025, he was involved in a minor car accident. Surveillance footage showed his car veering into oncoming traffic while crossing through an intersection. “Fortunately, everyone is cool, so blessings,” he said in the immediate aftermath. “God is great.”

Fans have taken every opportunity to call the behavior out. His poor skill in lavish vehicles has been a hot topic since arriving in the NBA.

Residents of Charlotte will no longer have to deal with his reckless driving. The threat has been removed. The streets are safer!

What that means for the city of Minneapolis remains to be seen. Something tells me he has little experience driving in the snowy winters that lie ahead given his past residence in California and the southeast.

Why is LaMelo Ball’s car registered in Montana?

One interesting observation from the photo of his move involved Ball’s Montana tags. Why are his cars registered in a state 2,000 miles away?

While I don’t have confirmation on the reasoning, there is a highly likely answer. Montana does not require state tax on vehicles. Owners can save boatloads in registration fees.

It’s a loophole used by many of the elite with high-priced luxury cars. For Ball, whose collection is worth an estimated $1.2 million, the savings can be up to six figures.

According to MotorBiscuit, the practice can technically illegal though the law is not often enforced.

Owners of expensive cars commonly attempt to use this loophole, even though it is technically illegal if you are a non-resident or do not conduct business in the state. However, authorities rarely enforce the law.

It’s unclear if he conducts business in the state. There does appear to be a LaMelo Ball LLC listed in Kalispell, Montana. That would clear him of any illegality with the registration.

The car posted in the photo is a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The 2026 model goes for between $440,000 and $520,000.

It’s unclear if Ball’s other cars are also registered in Montana from the image. It wouldn’t be surprising given the tax benefits.