LaMelo Ball Insists He’s Committed to Hornets Amid Trade Speculation
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LaMelo Ball said Friday he has no intention of leaving the Charlotte Hornets, pushing back on an outside report that suggested the former All-Star is frustrated with the club’s direction and open to a trade.
“I love being here,” Ball told reporters after practice. “I ain’t saying nothing. I’m just trying to win, that’s it.”
Speculation intensified Thursday when Yahoo Sports, citing unnamed sources, reported the 24-year-old guard was growing disillusioned with the Hornets’ 4-11 start. Ball reacted by reposting the story on social media with a clown emoji, then publicly dismissed the claim. “He never heard that come from me, so the source is not from me,” he said. “So it’s just false info.”
Head coach Charles Lee backed his franchise point guard, calling Ball “a huge, huge piece of what we do, offensively and defensively.” Lee added that communication among Ball, the coaching staff and general manager Jeff Peterson “is really high,” and that the player consistently expresses a desire to build a winner in Charlotte.
Ball became the Hornets’ first max-contract player in July 2023, signing a five-year, $260 million extension that runs through the 2029-30 season. He still has just over $168 million remaining on the deal, including $37.9 million this year, making any potential trade a sizable commitment for another team.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft has battled ankle injuries throughout his career. A right ankle sprain limited him to nine games so far this season, and he continues to play under a minutes restriction. Over his first five seasons, he appeared in 231 of 410 possible games.
Through those nine outings, Ball is averaging 21.6 points and 9.6 assists, but he is shooting career lows of 38.5% from the field and 29.8% from three-point range. Charlotte’s early optimism also took a hit when starting shooting guard Brandon Miller hurt his shoulder in the second game and has yet to return.
Despite the setbacks, Ball expressed confidence in the roster. “It’s ups and downs,” he said. “We are in a down right now, but we are definitely going to go up. I am still confident in this whole group and everybody here.”
The Hornets host the LA Clippers on Saturday.
Source: ESPN
