Hornets’ LaMelo Ball Dismisses Trade Talk, Says He Wants to Stay in Charlotte
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Point guard LaMelo Ball said Friday he has no desire to leave the Charlotte Hornets, pushing back against a Thursday report that claimed he would welcome a trade. “It didn’t come from me, so it’s false info,” Ball told reporters. “I really don’t like commenting on stuff, but it got too big.”
Ball had already hinted at his displeasure on social media, posting a clown emoji shortly after the report gained traction on multiple outlets, including Bleacher Report. He said the online reaction prompted him to address the rumor publicly to keep it from “keep going on.”
First-year head coach Charles Lee welcomed the public show of commitment. “Our relationship, our ability to have communication between myself, Melo and president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson, it’s really hot,” Lee said. “He’s always communicated to us that he wants to build this thing with us.”
Since Ball arrived as the No. 3 overall pick in 2020, Charlotte has yet to reach the playoffs and owns just one winning season (43-39 in 2021-22). The Hornets finished 19-63 last season, their worst record in two decades, and have opened this year 4-11.
Persistent injuries have limited Ball to 36, 22 and 47 regular-season games over the past three campaigns. He has already missed six contests this month but has produced at an All-Star level when available; Charlotte has a plus-4.2 net rating in his 282 minutes this season.
Despite the struggles, Ball expressed confidence in the franchise’s direction. “We are in some downs right now, but we are definitely going to go up,” he said. “I’m still confident in this whole group and everybody here.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
