Frustration reportedly rising between LaMelo Ball and Hornets
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LaMelo Ball’s relationship with the Charlotte Hornets appears to be deteriorating, with the All-Star guard now described as “open to a trade,” according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.
The tension escalated after head coach Steve Clifford kept Ball on the bench for the final 4:32 of Wednesday night’s 132-126 loss to the Indiana Pacers. The defeat was Charlotte’s fourth straight, dropping the Hornets to 4-11. Indiana entered the game at 1-13 before securing its second win of the season.
Ball, 22, recorded 18 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals in 27 minutes, but shot just 5-for-21 and committed six turnovers. Shortly after the report surfaced, he responded on social media with a clown-face emoji.
Durability remains a concern for the 2020 Rookie of the Year. Persistent ankle issues limited him to 105 of 246 possible games over the previous three seasons, and he has already missed six contests this year because of a right-ankle impingement. Despite efficiency struggles, Charlotte’s metrics have consistently improved with Ball on the court.
Iko’s report notes Ball prefers a faster style of play; the Hornets currently rank 20th in pace. Meanwhile, the front office is said to be losing confidence in Ball as a franchise cornerstone and is willing to explore trade scenarios. He is in the first season of a five-year maximum contract worth about $168.7 million over the next four seasons.
No timeline has been indicated for potential trade talks, and both Ball and the Hornets have yet to comment publicly beyond the player’s brief social-media post.
Source: Hoops Wire
