According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Charlotte Hornets have “no intention” of trading All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball.
The Hornets are well on their way to missing the playoffs again this season. They are only 8-26 and Ball has played in just 15 games due to an ankle injury.
However, the Hornets are still planning to build around Ball and rookie Brandon Miller, who was the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Alabama.
Ball is averaging 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 44.3% from the field, 38.8% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free-throw line. He has five double-doubles and one triple-double.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Hornets drafted Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball won the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award and made the 2022 All-Star team.
The 22-year-old Ball signed a five-year, $205 million extension with the Hornets in July. The extension kicks in next season. Ball will make $35.5 million in 2024-25.
In 177 games with the Hornets, Ball is averaging 19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks. During an interview with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype back in October, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford was asked to talk about Ball and Clifford showered Ball with lofty praise.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets Updates
“Yeah, I mean, he’s so unique in my time, just because of what you said, size, speed, quickness, and then shot creation and shot-making,” Clifford said about Ball. “He’s a terrific worker. He only got to play 36 games last year. He was coming off a significant injury, and he crushed it this summer. … One of the things about him is if you’ve been around him, you can’t not like him. He’s like an upbeat guy. He’s always in a good mood. He’s great with his teammates, and he has a real passion and love for the game.”
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