Could the Hornets Be Considering Trading Their One-Time All-Star Point Guard?

When you think of players on the Charlotte Hornets, the first player that comes to mind is LaMelo Ball. Ball has been a mainstay in the Queen City since the franchise took him with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The one-time all-star has achieved some success in Charlotte as he has led the team to two appearances in the NBA Play-In Tournament, but has also experienced some disappointing seasons in Charlotte due to injuries, which have caused him to miss as many games as he has played in. Due to this, many rumors have swirled around that Ball might be the next up-and-coming star to be traded to another championship contender. The Clippers and the Lakers are teams that the rumors have claimed could want Ball’s services due to him growing up in the Los Angeles area. However, the Hornets have not said anything about trading Ball, but according to some NBA insiders, the youngest of the Ball brothers might be on the move sooner than fans may think.

ESPN NBA Insider, Tim Bontempts, recently said on “The Hoop Collective” Podcast that if the Hornets star plays well to begin his season, then he may be the subject of trade discussions if the Hornets are not in the mix for playoff or play-in contention. The Hornets' win total, according to some online sports books, sits at 24.5 wins. It seems that the bettors and oddsmakers do not see the Hornets in contention this year and see the team as a bottom-feeder in the Eastern Conference. However, the Hornets do have more guards and playmakers on this year’s team compared to last season, which is going to help the Hornets be more cohesive and consistent as a group. Last season, Ball had to carry much of the load with injuries to other key players on the roster, and his numbers last year reflected that. He averaged 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, but played in a total of 47 games due to injuries.

Naturally, one has to wonder if Ball puts up this type of performance again next season and the team continues to struggle, then the Hornets might have to consider moving on from their face of the franchise in exchange for a possible haul of draft picks. The 23-year-old guard is the foundational piece for the Hornets, and the previous management believed in him enough to extend him two summers ago. However, that extension was inherited by the new regime in Charlotte, and they have been busy this offseason in reshaping the roster. They were able to get multiple picks for Mark Williams, who many believed was to be the future center for the Hornets. So, if the Hornets do start slow and Ball is playing well, then just imagine what the organization could get in a trade for him. Hornets fans do not want to see LaMelo Ball leave the Queen City, but one has to wonder if the team gets off to a slow start, and if he is playing well, then the youngest Ball brother might be in a different uniform after the trade deadline next season.