Could the Hornets Actually Trade LaMelo Ball? Why the Idea Isn’t as Wild as It Sounds
LaMelo Ball is one of the most electric young guards in the NBA-a playmaker with vision, flair, and a stat sheet that backs up the highlight reels. But as the Charlotte Hornets continue to tread water in the Eastern Conference, the question is starting to get louder: should they consider trading their franchise point guard?
The conversation picked up steam recently when a well-known associate of LeBron James-X user “CuffsTheLegend”-floated the idea of the Golden State Warriors making a play for Ball. The suggestion? Pair LaMelo with Stephen Curry in the Bay Area, creating a backcourt that would be as creative as it would be unpredictable.
It’s a spicy take, but not entirely out of left field.
The One That Got Away?
Let’s rewind for a second. Back in 2020, the Warriors had the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
LaMelo Ball was sitting right there. Instead, Golden State went with James Wiseman-a move that, in hindsight, didn’t pan out the way they hoped.
Ball ended up in Charlotte, where he quickly proved he belonged, winning Rookie of the Year in 2021 and earning an All-Star nod in 2022.
Since entering the league, Ball has averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Those are big-time numbers for a 22-year-old guard still developing his game. He’s a walking triple-double threat and one of the few players in the league who can control the tempo of a game with his passing alone.
But here’s the thing: the Hornets haven’t made the playoffs during his tenure. In fact, they’ve only had one winning season since he arrived. And while Ball’s individual talent is undeniable, the team around him hasn’t clicked in a way that translates to meaningful success.
A Changing Landscape in Charlotte
This season, Ball is putting up 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game while shooting 40.3% from the field, 33.9% from deep, and 87.5% from the line. Solid production, but the Hornets are just 10-20. And with the emergence of rookie Kon Knueppel and the continued development of Brandon Miller, the franchise may be rethinking its long-term direction.
Ball is in the first year of a five-year, $203 million extension he signed in 2023. He’s making $37.9 million this season, and while that’s a hefty number, it’s not out of line for a player of his caliber. Still, offloading that salary could open up flexibility, and more importantly, clear the runway for Knueppel and Miller to take on larger roles offensively.
There’s no no-trade clause in Ball’s contract, which makes any potential deal far easier to execute from a front office standpoint. And with teams like the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers already linked to him in trade rumors, it’s clear that the league is watching closely.
What About the Warriors?
Golden State, sitting at 16-15 and eighth in the West, finds itself in a strange spot. They’re still built around Curry, but the supporting cast hasn’t delivered consistently. Multiple reports suggest they’ll be buyers at the trade deadline-and bringing in a dynamic playmaker like Ball could inject new life into their offense.
Would a Curry-Ball pairing work? That’s a fair question.
Both are ball-dominant guards, but Ball’s passing could actually take some pressure off Curry and allow him to roam more freely off the ball-something we’ve seen him do to devastating effect in the past. The idea of Ball feeding Curry for catch-and-shoot threes is something that would keep opposing defenses up at night.
Of course, there are questions about fit, defense, and how Ball would adjust to a team with championship expectations. But the Warriors have never been afraid to swing big when the opportunity is right.
The Road Ahead
The Hornets are at a crossroads. They’ve got a young core, a high-usage star in LaMelo Ball, and a front office that may be ready to reset the timeline.
Trading Ball would be a seismic move-but it wouldn’t be without logic. It could free up cap space, redistribute touches to rising players, and bring in assets that better align with where the team is headed.
Whether or not a deal happens this season remains to be seen. But make no mistake: LaMelo Ball’s name is going to keep popping up in trade talks. And if the right team comes calling-like Golden State-the Hornets will have to decide just how committed they are to building around their star guard.
The clock is ticking.