According to NBA insider Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, LaMelo Ball is open to getting traded by the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets drafted Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball won the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award and made the All-Star team during the 2021-22 season.
However, Charlotte is only 100-140 when Ball plays and the franchise hasn’t had a winning record since the 2021-22 season.
The Hornets, who are 4-11 this season, haven’t made the playoffs since 2016.
“Following the Hornets’ disappointing road loss to the 2-13 Indiana Pacers — their fourth straight, dropping Charlotte to 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-11 record — star guard LaMelo Ball has grown increasingly frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade away from the franchise, multiple league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Iko wrote.
“League sources say the front office is increasingly hesitant about cementing Ball as a long-term foundational piece, has become disillusioned with the 24-year-old and is open to moving him. Ball has appeared in just nine games this season due to a right ankle injury. Despite Charlotte’s slow start, there have been a few bright spots, notably the impressive early performances from rookies Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner.”
Ball has appeared in just nine games this season. He’s averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game while shooting 38.5% overall, 29.8% from 3 and 86.7% from the foul line.
The Hornets signed Ball to a massive five-year, $203 million extension in 2023.
Ball, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, is making $37.9 million this season.
A California native, Ball has career averages of 21.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game with the Hornets.
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