The Charlotte Hornets find themselves in an intriguing position heading into the NBA Draft with the No. 4 overall pick, sparking immediate speculation about their franchise cornerstone.
While LaMelo Ball has been the face of the organization since his arrival, questions about his availability have begun surfacing as the team evaluates its future direction.
ESPN insider Shams Charania recently addressed the mounting speculation during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“I haven’t heard anything definitive on LaMelo Ball or any team or those conversations, as of yet… If a team calls the Hornets and makes a massive offer or makes a real push for LaMelo Ball, I mean, if you’re the Hornets, you have to be all ears at that point, right?” Charania said.
.@ShamsCharania tells @PatMcAfeeShow he has heard no LaMelo Ball trade rumors, but the Hornets should be open to anything 😅
"If a team calls the Hornets and makes a massive offer … I mean if you're the Hornets you have to be all ears at that point." pic.twitter.com/FJ6it3URVk
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 23, 2025
The insider made it clear that Charlotte isn’t actively shopping their star guard, but emphasized that any blockbuster proposal would demand serious consideration given the franchise’s current circumstances.
Ball carries the most expensive contract on the roster with a fully guaranteed five-year, $203.8 million deal signed in 2023.
Four years remain on that commitment, creating both security and potential leverage for Charlotte if the right opportunity emerges.
The franchise’s struggles provide context for any potential moves. Charlotte hasn’t reached the playoffs or even the Play-In tournament since 2016, despite Ball’s undeniable talent.
His availability has also been a concern, appearing in just 105 games over the past three seasons due to recurring ankle and wrist problems.
With the organization appearing to enter the early stages of a rebuild, exploring all options becomes part of the evaluation process.
A significant trade package could provide the foundation Charlotte needs to accelerate their transformation and build sustainable success moving forward.
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