This is major breaking news.
LaMelo Ball is open to getting traded by the Charlotte Hornets, according to NBA insider Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.
Ball is increasingly frustrated with the Hornets, who haven't made the playoffs since 2016 and are 4-11 this season.
"Following the Hornets' disappointing road loss to the 2-13 Indiana Pacers — their fourth straight, dropping Charlotte to 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-11 record — star guard LaMelo Ball has grown increasingly frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade away from the franchise, multiple league sources told Yahoo Sports," Iko wrote.
A one-time All-Star, Ball is averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game this season while shooting 38.5% from the field, 29.8% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
The Hornets signed Ball to a five-year, $203 million extension in 2023. Ball doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Charlotte hasn't had a winning record since the 2021-22 season.
One 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."
Ball has career averages of 21.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. He won the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award.
The Hornets are only 100-140 when Ball plays.
"League sources say the front office is increasingly hesitant about cementing Ball as a long-term foundational piece, has become disillusioned with the 24-year-old and is open to moving him," Iko wrote. "Ball has appeared in just nine games this season due to a right ankle injury. Despite Charlotte’s slow start, there have been a few bright spots, notably the impressive early performances from rookies Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner."
It will be fascinating to see if Ball gets traded this season. LaMelo is making $37.9 million.