LaMelo Ball is open to a trade from the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. Ball has become increasingly frustrated with the franchise. For their part, sources tell Yahoo that the Hornets are open to moving Ball. Ball has $130 million remaining over the next three seasons on his contract, but is only 24 years old and could play to his talents following a change of scenery.
The Hornets have a 4-11 record and Ball was benched for the final 4:32 of their 127-119 loss to the 2-13 Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
Ball is averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 reboudns, 9.6 assists in 31.4 minutes over nine games this season with the Hornets. Ball is shooting less than 30 percent on three-pointers this season and under 40 percent from the floor.
Ball was the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft and won Rookie of the Year. After he was an All-Star in 2022, Ball has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play.
Head coach Charles Lee wants the Hornets to play in a more structured offensive system that also provides opportunities and spacing for Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Kon Knueppel.
Ball responded to the Yahoo report on X with a clown emoji.