There was relative optimism about the Charlotte Hornets to start the 2025-26 NBA season. However, after 15 games, the team has a 4-11 record and looks lottery-bound once more. A report suggested LaMelo Ball is looking for a trade away, but the man himself has since called it out.
It’s been three seasons since LaMelo made his only All-Star appearance. The team has failed to improve around him, and his own numbers have dropped this year, too. NBA insider Kelly Iko said sources told him this has caused frustration for Melo, but it seems this isn’t true.
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“League sources say the front office is increasingly hesitant about cementing Ball as a long-term foundational piece, and has become disillusioned with the 24-year-old,” Iko’s report for Yahoo Sports also says. Ball simply reposted it on X with a clown emoji, making it abundantly clear what his position on the matter is.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard defends. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
At 24 years of age, Ball is averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game to start the year. His trade value is hard to assess, but Melo is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s best guards. The Hornets might be directionless for a while longer if they traded him, despite how good Kon Knueppel has been.
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Charlotte fans will be happy their franchise star has denied trade rumors in such a straightforward manner. They haven’t had much to be happy about with on-court performance, though, so that still needs fixing.
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