Are the Hornets Ready to Make a Bold Move with Their Star Point Guard?
Six seasons into the LaMelo Ball era, the Charlotte Hornets find themselves facing a difficult question. The team is off to a 6–14 start, which has created tension among fans who expected more after a busy offseason. LaMelo remains the face of the franchise and one of the most electric players the Hornets have ever had, yet the results so far this season have not matched the talent. There is a growing sense that the organization is stuck in place. That feeling naturally leads people to wonder if a major change is needed.
LaMelo’s gifts have never been in doubt, which is part of what makes this situation so complicated. His passing, creativity, and confidence transformed the Hornets when he arrived as a rookie. The challenge has always been staying healthy long enough for the team to build around him. His sophomore season, when he played 75 games, remains the only year he was consistently available. Every other season has been disrupted by injuries that make it hard for Charlotte to find any rhythm.
This season has not helped ease concerns because his production has dipped in several key areas. LaMelo is averaging 19.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds, which are still strong numbers for most players. The issue is his efficiency, as he is shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from three, which are both career lows. His shot selection has changed since the injuries, and he has struggled to adjust smoothly. The player who once looked like a rising superstar now appears to be searching for his old form.
Financial commitment complicates everything even further for the Hornets. LaMelo is only 24 years old, yet he is owed more than $168 million dollars over this season and the next three, which creates pressure for him to perform at an elite level. Teams always have an interest in players with their talent, so there would be potential trade partners. The real question is whether those teams would take on his remaining contract without hesitation. Charlotte also must consider how risky it would be to trade a player with so much natural ability.
The roster around him finally looks like it is taking shape, which makes the decision even more delicate. Brandon Miller continues to grow into a reliable scoring option who plays with confidence beyond his age. Kon Knueppel has quickly shown why he was drafted so early this past summer and looks capable of being a long-term piece. Miles Bridges remains a consistently productive forward who helps stabilize the offense. Ryan Kalkbrenner has also held his own as a rookie center, which keeps that position from being a major concern.
The one thing the Hornets still need is a point guard who can lead them through an entire season without long absences. LaMelo has the talent to be that player, although the availability concerns make the front office hesitant. A small-market team has very little margin for error when choosing its star and centerpiece. Reliability often matters just as much as raw ability when the goal is to build a stable and competitive team. Charlotte now must decide whether it can continue waiting for LaMelo to stay healthy.
Trading LaMelo would not be simple, and the backlash would immediately follow from fans who believe he can still blossom. The organization would need to feel completely confident that the move leads to a clearer long-term path. Remaining in the same spot year after year is not an option for a franchise trying to escape the lower half of the Eastern Conference. There is a strong argument that change might be the only way forward. The team must choose whether to believe in LaMelo returning to form or begin preparing for a future without him.
The decision will be made over the next several years in Charlotte, and the stakes are higher than ever. LaMelo is still young enough to become the star many envisioned when he was drafted. Charlotte waited patiently, sometimes hoping more than expected, for that version of him to reappear consistently. The growing core around him needs someone who can be counted on nightly, not just in promising stretches. The Hornets are entering a stage where tough choices define the direction of the franchise. There is no easy solution: both options, keeping LaMelo or trading him, carry substantial risks and rewards. The Hornets must weigh whether patience will finally lead to success, or if a bold reset is the best path forward. The future of the franchise hinges on this decision. Charlotte can no longer delay. The next move will define their identity for years to come.
