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LaMelo Ball stays put, for now. It seems that the Charlotte Hornets real decision on the All-Star guard isn’t the NBA trade deadline, it’s the summer.
All-Star guard LaMelo Ball is expected to finish the season with the Charlotte Hornets, even as internal questions about his long-term future continue to build.
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Charlotte does not plan to move Ball at the trade deadline. Instead, the organization is expected to revisit his status in the offseason, with the 2026 NBA Draft looming as a potential pivot point if the franchise decides to move in a different direction.
“After that, his future will be discussed internally, and it’s reasonable to believe that the Hornets will seek his eventual replacement in the 2026 NBA Draft,” Siegel reported.
Ball, 24, is under contract through the 2028-29 season on a max deal. Through 29 games, he is averaging 19.9 points, 7.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 27.8 minutes per game. His efficiency has held steady, and his 3.4 turnovers per contest mark his lowest rate since the 2021-22 season.
While his scoring volume has dipped amid expanded offensive roles around him, Ball has still shown his ceiling. He scored 33 points in a two-point loss to Indiana before a 55-point explosion against Utah. Even in reduced minutes, he continues to dictate tempo and stretch defenses.
Growing Tension Between Ball and Head Coach Charles Lee
Still, the noise around Ball has grown louder, particularly regarding his relationship with head coach Charles Lee.
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins was blunt this week while discussing the situation on the Road Trippin’ podcast.
“Oh, it’s smoke over there,” Perkins said. “The coach feels as if LaMelo is not his guy. The Hornets are gonna have to make a decision, it’s either trade LaMelo or fire the coach. Those two guys don’t see eye-to-eye. I’m telling you straight up, this is a fact, the energy is not there. The coach, he feels as if LaMelo is not his guy.”
“My sources tell me that LaMelo, after a [recent] game, he yelled in the hallway, and I quote, ‘F–k this motherf–ker,’” Perkins added. “The coach! They’re not on the same page. Period. One gotta go, either the coach or LaMelo.”
Lee, now in his second season, is Ball’s third head coach in six NBA seasons. After Charlotte’s 19-63 finish last year, Lee publicly challenged Ball to elevate his leadership and consistency, a moment that reportedly lingered inside the organization.
Why Charlotte Is Hesitant to Sell Low on LaMelo Ball
Despite the tension, Charlotte appears unwilling to sell low. The Hornets have seen real progress from their young core, particularly No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel and second-year wing Brandon Miller. Siegel reports those two are considered untouchable, with the front office open to listening on the rest of the roster. Veteran guard Collin Sexton, on an expiring $19 million deal, has already drawn interest.
The hesitation to move Ball now may also reflect league-wide caution. The recent trade of Trae Young,moved for expiring contracts with no draft capital, has reshaped how teams value score-first guards with defensive limitations. Similar concerns now hover around the Memphis Grizzlies as they explore the market for Ja Morant.
Charlotte appears determined not to repeat that mistake. For now, the Hornets are choosing patience, riding out the season with Ball, absorbing the noise, and preserving leverage. The real decision comes this summer, when the franchise must decide whether to build around its most gifted player or finally turn the page.