With the way things are going, the Charlotte Hornets are not shipping LaMelo Ball away before the trade deadline. Not every fan is fond of that reality. But there is just no way Jeff Peterson would trade his star for dimes on the dollar, and based on the rumors surrounding Trae Young recently, the Hornets wouldn't be able maximize Ball's value if they moved him in the coming weeks.
There have been various reports surrounding Young. One thing seems clear, though: His days in Atlanta are numbered.
However, the market for the four-time All-Star looks dry. The team that has emerged as a "legitimate" destination (subscription required) for Young is the Washington Wizards, per Marc Stein. Interestingly, the trade construction has reportedly centered around CJ McCollum's expiring contract — not exactly an eye-popping return for the Hawks.
What has made it more intriguing is Stein stating, "It's believed that the Hawks would also have to send the Wizards draft capital to convince them to absorb Young's contract."
The idea that Atlanta would have to attach draft assets to trade Young in what is essentially a salary-dump move boggles the mind a bit. Sure, he has had a polarizing reputation, especially lately. But it appears we live in a world where he may not even be worth at least a few second-round picks.
Is LaMelo Ball in the same boat?
The rumors floating about "Ice Trae" can make one wonder: Would the Hornets encounter a similar market if they put Ball on the block?
At the moment, the 2021 Rookie of the Year arguably has a higher value than his rival. He has been more available and has had a greater impact on winning this season. Still, we simply cannot ignore how Young managed to carry his squad to the Eastern Conference Finals four years ago. He may not be the same player anymore, but the ability to win when it matters cannot be discounted.
So, it's tough not to envision Ball commanding a comparable market if he were available today. Fortunately, the Hornets have shown no intention of giving up on him as one of their cornerstones despite some outsiders calling on them to send the point guard elsewhere.
Revisiting the idea this summer might be a different story, as the franchise could have a wider array of choices by then. For now, though, Charlotte should feel vindicated for its decision to stick with Ball. In addition to watching Young's situation in Atlanta unfold, Melo and the rest of the core have performed well whenever they are healthy enough to play together.