On Thursday evening, Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko published a piece on Hornets’ LaMelo Ball. Charlotte has started the 2025-26 season 4-11. Iko reports that LaMelo Ball has grown “increasingly frustrated” with the organization.
The NBA insider detailed how Ball could be open to a trade. Charlotte is 2-8 in their last 10 games and has lost four straight. Kelly Iko first reported this news on X around 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday. An hour later, Hornets all-star PG LaMelo Ball quote-tweeted Iko’s post with a clown face emoji. Without saying anything, LaMelo essentially called Kelly Iko’s reports false.
Will the Hornets trade LaMelo Ball this season?
— Melo (@MELOD1P) November 20, 2025
With the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, the Hornets selected LaMelo Ball. The 24-year-old is currently in his sixth season with Charlotte. Ball has appeared in 240 games and made 220 starts. In 2020-21, LaMelo Ball won Rookie of the Year and looked to have a promising future. The following season, Ball was named a first-time all-star for the Hornets. Since then, LaMelo has left a lot to be desired for Charlotte. Ball hasn’t played in 50+ games for the Hornets since the 2021-22 season.
LaMelo Ball has played in 105 of 246 possible regular-season games from 2022-23 to 2024-25. That sums up how the last three seasons have gone for the Hornets. After a 4-11 start to 2025-26, Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported that Ball has grown “increasingly frustrated” with the organization. Iko noted that LaMelo is open to being traded to a new team. When the NBA insider reported the news on X, Ball was quick to respond.
BREAKING: LaMelo Ball has grown frustrated in Charlotte and is open for a trade, per @KellyIko pic.twitter.com/Y1eQg1RmLo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 20, 2025
The all-star PG commented with a clown face emoji in response to Kelly Iko’s post. In 2025-26, Lamelo Ball has missed six games for Charlotte due to an ankle injury. Over nine starts, he is averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Ball has always had solid individual production for the Hornets. However, that does not always translate to wins. Kelly Iko reported that the team has grown “disillusioned” with LaMelo.
Charlotte no longer views the 24-year-old as a cornerstone of their franchise. If these reports are true, the one-time all-star could be on the trade block come February. Kelly Iko said there is frustration from both parties. Despite LaMelo Ball responding to Iko’s post, it’s clear tension is brewing in Charlotte. Will the team cut its losses and trade LaMelo Ball? He’s still an incredibly talented PG. Unfortunately, he’s had injuries derail his career. On top of that, Ball is owed $168.7 million over the next four seasons. That’s a hefty contract a team would take on if they traded for Ball.
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