LaMelo Ball is in his sixth year in Charlotte. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
(Dylan Buell via Getty Images)
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.
On Wednesday night, the one-time All-Star was benched for the final 4:32 of regulation in the 127-119 loss, finishing the game with 18 points on just 5-for-21 shooting and 6 turnovers in 27 minutes.
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Ball’s efficiency has cratered in his sixth season as a Hornet, averaging career lows in field goal percentage (.385) and 3-point percentage (.298). Ball still remains an elite playmaker, averaging a career high in assists (9.6) and Charlotte is clearly a better team with Ball than without — 17.3 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass.
To say it’s been a rough start in Charlotte is putting it lightly. Head coach Charles Lee has attempted to implement a more deliberate offensive system, with more ball and player movement and empowering Brandon Miller (who is out with a shoulder injury) and Miles Bridges — all while developing rookie Kon Knueppel — in a heavily spaced attack. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Hornets are just 19th in offensive efficiency (although a 10-place jump from the 2024-25 season). But Charlotte still plays at a slow pace, just 20th in pace and 21st in half-court efficiency, despite Ball’s consistent urge to push the tempo.
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. 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 Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner.
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Should both sides decide to explore the trade market in the near future, Ball is still young enough to warrant intrigue around the league, but his albatross price tag may give pause to rival front offices. Ball, who will earn $37.9 million this season still has over $130 million remaining over the next three years following the 2025-26 campaign — in addition to a lengthy injury history and whispers about his on-court comportment.
