Report: Suns Not Interested in Trading for All-Star Guard LaMelo Ball

UPDATE: LaMelo Ball has been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball is drawing strong trade interest from multiple teams, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly not one of the organizations expressing a desire to land the 24-year-old. AZCentral's Duane Rankin shared that "League sources inform The Arizona Republic the Phoenix Suns don’t have any interest in Ball."

The decision not to pursue Ball is a bit puzzling.

Franchise cornerstone Devin Booker was at his best when he had a true playmaker in Chris Paul playing alongside him. Booker, Paul, and company managed to reach the NBA Finals in 2021 before falling short against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Adding a true point guard to the mix once again is bound to be a recipe for success, especially if the asking price is nothing more than Jalen Green and draft capital.

There are not many better across the NBA at playmaking than Ball. He averaged 7.1 assists in the 2025-2026 season to go along with 20.1 points and 4.8 rebounds on 40.7% shooting and 36.8% shooting from three-point range in 72 games.

Availability is undoubtedly a concern with him, as before last season, he had not appeared in more than 50 games since 2022. He is also not the strongest defender, but given his 6-foot-7 frame, he is rarely viewed as a liability. His pros greatly outweigh the cons, however, as he is one of the most electric offensive pieces in the league.

It's entirely possible the Hornets' front office is viewing the 2026 campaign as a fluke for Ball, but it still feels like Charlotte will crumble without him. Despite his flaws, he has acted as the team's offensive engine for the past six seasons. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel thrived last season in part due to the looks Ball set them up with.

The reality of the situation as a whole is this: Phoenix not expressing interest is illogical, as well as the Hornets listening to offers being foolish.

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Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of SunsRoundtable. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.