Another NBA season, another injury for Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball.

Ball has missed the Hornets' last two games due to a right ankle impingement, the same ankle on which he underwent surgery last March.

It sadly never ends for the former No. 3 overall pick, who has played 50 games just twice since entering the league in 2020, and both of those occasions came over his first two seasons.

Since then, Ball has played 36, 22 and 47 games, respectively. Yes, when he plays, he's outstanding. He is one of the most exciting players in basketball. But what's the use if he can't stay healthy?

Charlotte signed Ball to a five-year, $204 million contract extension in July 2023. That deal runs through 2029, and it's looking less and less likely that Ball will see it through to the end.

At this point, the Hornets may ultimately have to bite the bullet and simply trade the former All-Star, because there is no use paying Ball $40 million in average annual salary if he is unable to remain on the floor.

Of course, that's easier said than done. Ball's injury history will make it exceedingly difficult to move him, and the fact that Brandon Miller has also been dealing with pretty persistent injury problems the last two seasons only makes this more depressing.

But perhaps the Hornets can find a taker for Ball simply because of how talented he is. He averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 assists and 4.9 rebounds over 32 minutes per game last season. When healthy, he is a dynamic force who could absolutely help any team.

Sure, Ball's defense certainly leaves something to be desired, and he isn't the most efficient scorer in the world, but in the right situation, he can be a bona fide star.

That's if he is able to stay out of street clothes.

Charlotte may have to come to grips with this harsh reality. In order to properly facilitate a rebuild, it may have to find a way to cut ties with Ball. It will hurt, but getting out from under that money will help the Hornets immensely, even if it means accepting a skimpy return (let's face it: no organization is surrendering a treasure trove of assets for a guy who has averaged 46.2 games per season over his first five years in the league).

I love Ball as a player, but his constant medical issues are just becoming too much for Charlotte to bear, and the sooner the Hornets recognize that, the betetr.