The Charlotte Hornets probably aren't going to acknowledge the rumor that LaMelo Ball wants out and that they are open to shipping him to a new home. If they do decide it's time to bite the bullet, they have to be prepared for an underwhelming return. Also, the Hornets cannot be half-hearted about it and should follow it through by trading a few other pieces, mainly Miles Bridges.
First of all, Ball's value is an enigma. The entire league knows his potential but is also likely wary of the weights that have held him down and prevented him from ascending to his ceiling. Injuries have been ever-present in his NBA career, and this season does not appear to be different. His impact on winning has also been put into question, especially recently, as his field-goal percentage has plummeted to below 40 percent.
Still, there might be more than a handful of suitors who could show interest and who have a massive hole to fill at point guard. However, everything is speculation at this point, and it wouldn't be surprising if the proposed packages the Hornets receive don't include multiple first-round picks. That may be fine, though, as long as they land some young pieces who can address some of their weaknesses, including the lack of playmaking around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, and a long-term starting power forward.
That leaves us to our next point on Bridges, who has failed to prove that he deserves his current role as a starter. If Charlotte believes it is time to start a new era without Ball, it should also send the veteran forward to a team that better aligns with his timeline and has a need for his scoring punch.
Easier said than done for Hornets
Unfortunately, trading Ball and Bridges is not as straightforward as some fans may think it is. Not only are their trade values probably not high enough to deliver sizable returns commensurate with their worth, but the foundational pieces have so far been transparent about their desire to stay in Charlotte. Melo even posted a clown emoji on social media as a succinct but telling response to the rumor.
Still, if the front office wants to start fresh, it should embrace the full rebuild. It already has sturdy cornerstones in Miller and Knueppel, both of whom need a reliable offensive facilitator to reach their potential and a big forward who can complement them on the defensive end of the floor.
Only time will tell what the Hornets do from hereon. What's sure is that Jeff Peterson and his staff are in an unenviable position. Let's hope they are up to the task.