Could 2025-26 be LaMelo Ball's best season?

The Charlotte Hornets held media day on Monday and Miles Bridges delivered an exciting LaMelo Ball message. 

Here's what the forward said about his point guard:

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.

Ball will make $37.9 million in 2025-26. He has career averages of 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.4 assists, which are great numbers, but Ball's inability to stay on the court and inefficient shooting numbers have made him one of the most overrated players in the NBA, at least in the eyes of basketball pundits. 

The most games Ball has played in a season are 75. The Hornets, who haven't made the playoffs since 2016, are only 98-133 when Ball plays.

Ball is a career 42.1% shooter from the field. He has career averages of 3.3 turnovers and is on a three-year run of delivering negative defensive box plus/minuses. 

The 24-year-old Ball appeared in 47 games for the Hornets last season. He averaged 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 40.5% from the field, 33.9% from beyond the arc and 84.3% from the free-throw line. 

Ball doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so the Hornets can trade the California native without his permission. 

NBA legend Michael Jordan drafted Ball. However, Jordan is no longer the majority owner in Charlotte.

With that said, it will be interesting to see if Ball remains in Charlotte or gets traded soon. Many people around the NBA have linked Ball to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers since he was born and raised in Anaheim.

If the Hornets do well this season, though, Ball trade rumors should quiet down.