Some Charlotte Hornets fans believe the team has to consider trading LaMelo Ball if he doesn't secure an All-Star berth due to either injury or subpar performance. In fact, 57.9 percent of the nearly 600 respondents of a survey recently conducted by James Plowright of the Buzz Beat podcast answered that the organization has to at least consider shipping Ball out in that scenario.
With his talent and potential, the 2021 Rookie of the Year should certainly command a high value in the trade market. However, Plowright doesn't think that would be the case, sensing that his market would be "smaller than many Hornets fans want to believe."
It's hard not to agree with the sportswriter, and that's not a knock on Ball. The playmaker has superstar potential for sure, but there might not be enough of a demand for a player like him around the league.
Maybe the Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, or Orlando Magic will elect to pursue a star point guard of Melo's caliber to reinforce their chances of contending for a championship in the middle of the campaign. However, would any of them be capable or willing to send Charlotte draft picks and young promising players in exchange for Ball? Probably not.
So, even if the Hornets explore the trade possibilities, they don't appear to have that much leverage in trade talks.
Hornets have to run with LaMelo Ball until at the earliest the 2026 offseason
Ball's future with Charlotte is anything but assured. While the team has provided him this summer with arguably the best supporting cast he has ever had in the NBA, its success hinges on his health and performing as expected or even beyond.
In case Ball does not deliver during the first half of the 2025-26 season, the Hornets may have to shelve any plans to find him a new home by the trade deadline. Unless a godfather offer comes their way, they should step away from the negotiating table and tough the rest of the campaign out with their presumed cornerstone.
The ideal outcome for Charlotte this season would be to demonstrate significant progress in its rebuilding phase, with the 2022 All-Star leading the way and vying for his second appearance in the midseason showcase. If the opposite turns out to be the reality, hopefully, the front office wouldn't panic and stay patient with Ball, even if it deems moving him a necessary step toward rising out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference.