As of December 15th, NBA teams are officially free to include recently signed players in trades, opening the door for trade rumors to start swirling all the way up to the trade deadline. The Charlotte Hornets find themselves in a perilous situation: unwilling to fully commit to LaMelo Ball as their centerpiece, yet unable to land a franchise-altering trade that would redefine the timeline.
The fact of the matter is that Ball is arguably the most talented player that Charlotte has ever drafted. However, questions around his durability and long-term fit still remain. This has led to multiple reports suggesting that Charlotte wants to move on and pass the mantles to Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller as the franchise cornerstones.
Trade value is diminished
A perceived unserious star player on a max contract with lingering ankle injury issues isn't likely to generate strong trade interest — at least not at the price Charlotte believes he's worth. Ball is enduring one of his least efficient shooting seasons, hitting just 38.6 percent from the field and 28.5 percent from deep.
There's no doubt that Ball's trade value is at an all-time low. I still think there are a few teams that would take a shot on his talent. However, expectations should be tempered with the type of return received in any package.
Hornets DNA fit
Jeff Peterson and Charles Lee are trying to establish the "Hornets DNA" culture. Lee values hustle, & competitiveness, defense, and a team-first attitude. Ball's style of play and demeanor can clash with this mentality at times. There's also an argument that his play doesn't translate to winning basketball games. Lee decided to bench Ball against the Toronto Raptors earlier in the year, which led to a 26-8 run in the fourth quarter for the Hornets.
The Hornets have shown they can be competitive and win games without Ball again and again, with another great win on the road over the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime. It raises a few uncomfortable questions. Is the team better off without Ball in the mix? Does he embody the "Hornets DNA"? The answers to those questions are complex but ultimately factor into whether or not Charlotte extends the Ball era.
The reality of the situation is that keeping Ball carries significant long-term risk. The Hornets have not reached the playoffs with Ball in five years, and that number may go to six after the 2025-26 NBA season concludes. At the end of the day, Ball is unable to stay on the court due to chronic ankle issues, which are affecting team chemistry. Knueppel is widely viewed as the new face of the franchise, and the Hornets should commit to building around him.
Holding onto Ball for too long may close the window of opportunity to trade him. All of these issues could compound further into next year, which could handicap the Hornets long-term.