Two young standouts are expected to remain with their current teams through the Feb. 5 trade deadline, league sources told Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
According to Siegel, LaMelo Ball of the Hornets and Lauri Markkanen of the Jazz are both viewed as likely to stay put for the remainder of the regular season.
Charlotte is expected to revisit Ball’s long-term future during the offseason. Siegel notes the Hornets are monitoring the 2026 draft, which is projected to feature several promising guards should the franchise eventually decide to move in a different direction.
Ball, 24, is under a maximum contract through the 2028-29 season. He is averaging 19.9 points, 7.8 assists, five rebounds and 1.2 steals in 29 games while shooting 41.3 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from three and 87.8 percent from the line in 27.8 minutes per night.
Siegel reports Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are the only untouchables on Charlotte’s roster, with the front office open to listening on the rest. Veteran guard Collin Sexton, who is on an expiring $19 million contract, has reportedly drawn interest from multiple teams.
In Utah, Markkanen continues to be viewed as part of the long-term core. The Jazz want to take a step forward by the 2026-27 season and are not actively shopping the All-Star forward. While injured center Walker Kessler has generated significant interest, Siegel writes that Utah does not expect to move him in the coming weeks.
Through 32 games, Markkanen is averaging 27.9 points, seven rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor and remains under contract through 2028-29.
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