Hornets are reportedly open to trading anyone except two players

It seems like Nick Richards continues to be a coveted trade piece. A rumored interest from the New York Knicks has likely fizzled out now that they have acquired Karl-Anthony Towns in a blockbuster deal that the Charlotte Hornets helped facilitate but ended up a winner in.

However, another team has emerged as a possible suitor. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, sources say the Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest in the Jamaican center over the summer. It's unclear how talks, if any, have progressed, but the Hornets may be inclined more to keep the key rotation piece.

Interestingly, in the same report, Charlotte is reportedly said to be willing to hear trade offers that come its way. But it appears the franchise has only two players with whom it doesn't intend to part ways anytime soon.

LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller may be the only untouchables

Per Siegel, "LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, sources said, are the only two players the organization has no desire to see leave anytime soon."

It makes sense for the Hornets to want to hold onto Ball and Miller at all costs. After all, the youngsters are the best prospects the team has had in a very long while. The fact that it has two of them at the same time is icing on the cake.

Ball has been stellar for Charlotte, proving he was worth the hype surrounding his selection as the third overall pick in 2020. He was voted into the All-Star Game in just his second year in the league and could have clinched a berth at least once more if it weren't for injuries.

On the other hand, Miller overcame a slow start last season to secure third place in the Rookie of the Year race. The young swingman is oozing with All-Star potential and has even drawn comparisons to Paul George. With the 21-year-old swingman on the roster, the Hornets have a higher floor and ceiling.

The question is if it's really only those two who deserve untouchable status when perhaps Mark Williams and Tidjane Salaun should also be in consideration. Maybe the organization thinks there are other big men who can replicate what Williams does and who don't have a concerning injury history. Meanwhile, Salaun is still perceived as a raw project, even if his preseason performance has shown otherwise.

Of course, that part of the report should be taken with a grain of salt. Even if it does prove to be accurate, it probably just means that the front office would be willing to entertain inquiries about players not named Ball or Miller but is not actively shopping them around.

It remains to be seen, though, how the Hornets' season plays out, as that will certainly have a role in their roster decisions in the coming months.