An NBA scout recently took a massive shot at Hornets starting point guard LaMelo Ball. 

The NBA scout, who works for a Western Conference team, told ESPN that Ball "doesn't take basketball seriously enough."

"Yes, he's talented, but he doesn't take basketball seriously enough," the NBA scout said. "It's hard to build a winner with him because of how he plays, and the liberties he takes for himself when he plays.

"Would someone take a flier on him? For sure. But Charlotte isn't taking a flier price for him."

The Hornets selected 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.

However, Charlotte hasn't made the playoffs during the Ball era and Ball has never played in more than 75 games in a season. 

The 24-year-old Ball has played in six games this season. He's averaging 23.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists while shooting 43.0% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 81.5% from the free-throw line. 

The Hornets, though, are only 3-5. 

"He still doesn't know who he is," another Western Conference scout said. "But I think you can justify buying into the talent."

Ball is making $37.9 million this season. He played in 47 games for the Hornets last season and 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.

"If you're asking me if Trae Young, Ja Morant and LaMelo all came onto the trade market tomorrow, I think LaMelo would have the best market," another NBA executive said. "But that's all hypothetical right now."

The Hornets signed Ball to a five-year, $203 million extension in 2023. As of now, there are no rumors stating that Charlotte is looking to trade Ball, who doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract.