NBA Execs Monitoring LaMelo Ball’s Future With Hornets

NBA executives are monitoring LaMelo Ball‘s future with the Charlotte Hornets, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. 

Ball will make $37,958,760 next season. He signed a five-year, $203 million extension with the Hornets in 2023. 

“The availability of Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is one of the stars several executives who spoke with HoopsHype will be monitoring on the trade market this summer,” Scotto wrote. “Ball was one of several notable All-Star snubs despite leading East guards in fan voting for the starter ballot and was fourth in scoring when the All-Star reserves were announced. Due to games missed, Ball won’t be eligible for an All-NBA selection either. At the same time, Charlotte will extend its playoff drought, which started during the 2016-17 season. Meanwhile, all five years of Ball’s career will result in lottery finishes during that span.

“Ball led the Hornets to two Play-In Tournament games during his first two seasons, the farthest the franchise has gone in the past nine seasons. Looking ahead, Ball wants to start winning. Thus, is Ball willing to endure more losing and lessen his chances of individual accolades as the Hornets continue rebuilding under the new regime of executive Jeff Peterson and coach Charles Lee?”

Ball is averaging 26.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists this season while shooting 41.0% from the field, 33.4% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line. He’s played in 37 games. 

Charlotte drafted Ball with the third pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball, who turns 24 in August, has career averages of 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists. 

“If Charlotte puts Ball on the trade market, the Hornets could kick start a complete tear-down rebuild by trading him and clearing his maximum salary off the books long-term while adding cheaper young talent and several future first-round draft picks,” Scotto wrote. 

Ball made the 2022 All-Star team. He also won the 2021 Rookie of the Year Award.