The Charlotte Hornets have been linked to a surprising trade involving LaMelo Ball.
Based on the success the Charlotte Hornets have been experiencing this season, you would think that a LaMelo Ball trade is now off the table.
However, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale isn't so sure.
In a piece where Favale listed each NBA team's top three trade targets heading into the offseason, he named Ball as a potential fit for the Portland Trail Blazers.
"LaMelo Ball would be an electric addition even with Damian Lillard rejoining the fold next season," Favale wrote. "The off-the-bounce shot diet can be anarchic, but his impact on the offense is undeniable. Granted, you'll want to file this under 'Ultra-Ambitious.' The Charlotte Hornets have played themselves out of seller's territory. Though maybe, just maybe, they view their recent success as a chance to sell high."
Ball was the subject of rampant trade speculation over the summer, and going into the 2025-26 campaign, many felt that the 24-year-old could get moved.
However, thanks to a torrid stretch the last couple of months, the Hornets are now firmly playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference, and given how young the team is, there is nowhere to go but up.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball. Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.Perhaps Charlotte could be talked into moving off of Ball's $204 million contract due to his incredibly checkered injury history, but the Hornets are past the point where they would just give him away in a salary dump.
Ball is averaging 19.4 points, 7.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds over 27.7 minutes per game on 39.9/36.4/90.4 shooting splits this season.
Yes, the efficiency leaves a whole lot to be desired, and Ball's free-throw rate (3.1 FTA per 36 minutes) has plummeted, but there is no doubt his overall impact on the squad.
Ball owns a plus-8.2 net rating on the season, with Charlotte being 12.5 points per 100 possessions better offensively when the former No. 3 overall pick is on the floor.
The 6-foot-7 guard is part of a very impressive Hornets young core that also includes Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, and big men Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate deserve a mention, as well.
Teams may still call about Ball this summer, but it seems hard to imagine Charlotte getting enough value in return for him to actually move him.
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