Jazz Keeping Lauri Markkanen, Hornets Plan to Hold LaMelo Ball Through Deadline
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Both Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball are expected to remain with their teams beyond the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, league sources told Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
In Charlotte, the front office intends to revisit Ball’s long-term outlook during the offseason, according to the report. The Hornets are closely watching the 2026 NBA Draft, which is projected to feature several high-profile guard prospects should the organization eventually opt for a different direction.
Ball, 24, is in the first season of a maximum contract that runs through 2028-29. He is averaging 19.9 points, 7.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals over 29 games, shooting 41.3 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from three-point range and 87.8 percent at the free-throw line across 27.8 minutes per contest.
Siegel adds that rookies Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are regarded as the only untouchable players on the Hornets roster. Veteran guard Collin Sexton, on an expiring $19 million deal, has reportedly attracted interest from multiple clubs.
In Utah, Markkanen remains a central piece of the Jazz’s core, and the team is not actively shopping the 26-year-old All-Star. The franchise aims to make a competitive push by the 2026-27 season. While injured center Walker Kessler has drawn significant attention around the league, Utah does not anticipate moving him ahead of the deadline, Siegel reports.
Through 32 games, Markkanen is posting 27.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor. His contract also runs through the 2028-29 campaign.
Source: Hoops Wire
