The Charlotte Hornets are not shopping LaMelo Ball, but the franchise could entertain a significant trade proposal, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Charania said there is “nothing concrete” linking Ball to trade discussions. However, he acknowledged this is the point in the NBA calendar when league-wide interest and speculation often gain momentum.
“If a team calls the Hornets and makes a massive offer, makes a real push for LaMelo Ball, if you’re the Hornets, you have to be all ears at that point,” Charania said. “At the position they are with their franchise.”
Ball, 23, is coming off a shortened 2024–25 campaign in which he averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds across 47 games. His season ended early in late March due to ankle and wrist procedures.
Charlotte concluded the year with a 19–63 record, the second-worst mark in the Eastern Conference. Despite Ball’s individual production—including a career-high 50-point game in November—the team remains entrenched in the early stages of a rebuild.
The former No. 3 overall pick is entering the second year of a five-year, $203.8 million contract extension he signed in July 2023. That long-term control adds both value and leverage to Charlotte’s position should serious offers arise.
While no specific teams have been linked to Ball, the combination of his age, playmaking ability, and scoring upside make him a potential trade target for clubs looking to add a young star.
