Hornets poised for LaMelo Ball trade as multiple NBA franchises submit aggressive offers
Sources confirm the Hornets are actively negotiating with several teams pursuing LaMelo Ball, whose contract status and recent performance have heightened market demand.
The Charlotte Hornets are engaged in serious trade discussions regarding star point guard LaMelo Ball, with multiple NBA teams aggressively pursuing the player. According to sources speaking to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Hornets have fielded substantial offers, and a transaction could be finalised within 24 to 48 hours if the terms are met.
Ball, who averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 72 regular-season games last season, has three years remaining on his current contract. He is also eligible to sign a two-year, $119.2 million supermax extension on July 6, a financial factor that has likely intensified interest from other franchises.
The Hornets enjoyed a significant turnaround last season, winning 44 games compared to just 19 the previous year. This improvement was driven by the enhanced health of Ball and Brandon Miller, alongside the arrival of rookie Kon Knueppel. Miller averaged a team-high 20.2 points in 65 games, while Knueppel finished second in Rookie of the Year voting after leading the league in three-pointers made.
Despite the on-court success, Ball’s availability has been impacted by injuries, with the guard playing only 105 games across the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons. The team ended a postseason drought dating back to 2016 by reaching the play-in tournament, though they were eliminated by the Orlando Magic in their final game.
Ball recently faced fines for a $35,000 penalty regarding reckless contact with Miami Heat centre Bam Adebayo during a play-in victory, and a $25,000 fine for profane language in a post-game interview. He has previously stated that while making the playoffs was a positive step, his ultimate objective remains winning championships.
