Multiple teams are aggressively pursuing LaMelo Ball, and the Charlotte Hornets are actively engaging in trade discussions as the NBA shifts from the draft toward free agency.
Speaking during ESPN’s coverage of the second night of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 24, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Ball’s name has become one of the most prominent in trade conversations around the league. According to Charania, several teams are making strong pushes for the 24-year-old guard, while Charlotte continues to evaluate offers that could reshape the franchise’s future.
Charania noted that Ball wants to remain in Charlotte and that the relationship between player and organization remains positive. However, he added that the Hornets are listening to what rival teams are offering and could move Ball if a package meets the organization’s asking price.
The report comes after Ball delivered one of the most productive and durable seasons of his NBA career. He appeared in 72 games during the 2025-26 campaign, his highest total since entering the league, and averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes per game. He also shot 36.8% from three-point range while making 3.8 triples per contest.
Ball played a central role in Charlotte’s resurgence. The Hornets finished 44-38, securing the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference after posting one of the league’s largest year-over-year improvements. Charlotte’s offense featured a balanced core led by Ball, Brandon Miller and rookie standout Kon Knueppel.
Miller paced the team in scoring at 20.2 points per game while adding 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 65 appearances. Knueppel immediately emerged as one of the league’s most efficient young wings, averaging 18.5 points while shooting 47.5% from the field and 42.5% from three over 81 games. The Hornets also received steady production from Miles Bridges, who contributed 17.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Charlotte further invested in its future during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Hannes Steinbach with the 14th overall pick and Christian Anderson Jr. at No. 18.
Any deal involving Ball would be one of the most significant moves of the offseason. The former All-Star is under contract for three more seasons after completing the second year of a five-year, $203 million extension. His age, production and long-term contract control make him one of the most valuable guards potentially available on the trade market.
With free agency approaching and trade activity accelerating across the league, the Hornets appear positioned at the center of one of the offseason’s biggest developing stories. As Charania indicated, the next 24 to 48 hours could determine whether Ball remains the face of Charlotte’s franchise or becomes the latest star to change teams.
