It might be the end of the LaMelo Ball era, as he has reportedly "grown increasingly frustrated" with the Charlotte Hornets. And as it turns out, the team is also "open" to trade him elsewhere.
That is quite a bombshell of a rumor, even if it makes sense for both sides to decide that it's time to part ways. Ball has not been himself in the past games, and though no one will probably admit it, his injury may be a lingering issue for the foreseeable future. He has also been mired in an extended shooting slump this season, with his field-goal percentage dipping to below 40 percent.
While some folks inside the Hornets organization are probably hoping for the marriage to last longer and see where it could lead once Ball gets a clean bill of health, their collective patience may be running out. It's worth noting that lead executive Jeff Peterson did not draft the star point guard, as he merely inherited the 2021 Rookie of the Year from the previous regime. So, in that sense, Peterson's reported willingness to let him go is understandable.
Perhaps what's suspect is the timing of the rumor popping up. It came after Ball's arguably worst outing of the season. Against the Indiana Pacers, who were at the bottom of the standings before their win over Charlotte, he put up just 18 points on 5-21 shooting, even logging more turnovers than field goals. It's unclear how he reacted to being benched in the game's final 4:32, although his teammates, led in part by Kon Knueppel, nearly made it a two-possession contest after falling into a 20-point hole entering the fourth quarter.
The coming weeks will be awkward for Hornets
The problem with the Ball revelation now is that Charlotte could be in for a rough ride in the near future as it tries to right the ship and rise in the standings. The resolution will only come once a trade finally happens or the two parties kiss and make up, which is unlikely to happen at this point and not exactly what a lot of fans want.
Fortunately for the Hornets, even if Ball is sent packing one of these following months, their future still looks bright. With Knueppel emerging as a potential cornerstone, the other rookies showing incredible potential, and Brandon Miller ramping up his recovery, the team's outlook isn't all that bleak.
Hopefully, the divorce will be as harmonious as possible, with Ball still giving his best whenever he can suit up. That's also the only way for his trade value to drive up and give the Hornets the best potential return.