Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported on Thursday that LaMelo Ball has become “increasingly frustrated” with the Charlotte Hornets and is open to a potential trade.
Hornets Prefer To Retain LaMelo Ball
Iko, who received the information from multiple league sources, noted that Charlotte’s front office has grown “disillusioned” with the star point guard and is now fielding trade offers.
Ball, however, responded to Iko’s report on X with a clown face emoji.
Even if Ball wanted a trade out of Charlotte, it doesn’t mean the Hornets would acquiesce his request. NBA insider Jake Fischer confirmed this notion during his latest Bleacher Report live stream.
“I can tell you with absolute certainty that the Hornets are not actively looking to move LaMelo Ball any time soon,” Fischer reported.
In addition, the Hornets are reportedly not open to trading Ball until they can see how the team functions with a healthy Brandon Miller, who was been sidelined with a left shoulder sublaxation.
“LaMelo Ball is not asking out, to my understanding,” Fischer said. “And the Hornets are not actively looking to trade him by any stretch right now.”
Injuries Have Been Problematic For Ball
Moving Ball likely wouldn’t help the Hornets amid a 4-11 start to the season.
Through nine games (all starts) of his sixth NBA campaign, Ball is averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting career lows of 38.5% from the field and 29.8% from deep.
Last season, Ball averaged a career-best 25.2 points per game while shooting 40.5% from the floor and 33.9% from 3-point territory. He scored 50 points, also a career high, at Milwaukee on Nov. 23, 2024.
Despite his offensive proficiency, durability has been an issue for Ball.
Ball has played more than 60 games only once in the past five seasons and has missed at least 25 games in the past three. The Hornets went 2-24 without the former No. 3 overall pick last season.
Per Spotrac, Ball is currently in the second season of a five-year, $203.85 million rookie contract extension. He’s earning $37.95 million this campaign, and his deal includes a 15% trade bonus.
Fischer added that rival teams are also monitoring Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks — both of whom are injured at the moment.
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