Ball is willing to be traded and leave the team! Growing dissatisfaction and three key factors will affect his value

On November 21st, according to renowned reporter Iko, multiple league sources revealed that after the Hornets' disappointing away loss to the 2-13 Pacers (marking their fourth consecutive defeat and dropping their record to 4-11, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference), star guard LaMelo Ball’s frustration with the team has intensified, and he is open to being traded.

In that game, the Hornets lost 119-127, and this former All-Star guard was benched with 4 minutes and 32 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. He played 27 minutes, shooting 5-of-21 for 18 points and committing 6 turnovers. Now in his sixth season with the Hornets, Ball’s efficiency has significantly declined, with career lows in shooting percentage (38.5%) and three-point accuracy (29.8%). However, he remains one of the league’s top playmakers, averaging a career-high 9.6 assists per game — according to basketball analytics site Cleaning the Glass, the Hornets outscore opponents by 17.3 points per 100 possessions when Ball is on the floor, underscoring his value to the team.

The Hornets have had a rough start to the season. Head coach Charles Lee has tried to implement an offense focused more on pace control, emphasizing ball movement and player cuts, while developing Brandon Miller (currently sidelined with a shoulder injury), Miles Bridges, and rookie Con Knuppel within a spacing-heavy system. Data shows the Hornets currently rank 19th in offensive efficiency (an improvement of 10 spots from the 2024-25 season), but their pace remains slow at 20th, and their half-court offense ranks 21st — which contradicts Ball’s usual preference for a faster style of play.

League insiders say the Hornets’ management is increasingly hesitant to commit to Ball as a long-term cornerstone. Their expectations for the 24-year-old have gradually diminished, and they are open to exploring trade options involving him.Ball has appeared in only 9 games this season due to a right ankle injury. Despite the team's slow start, there have been bright spots, particularly the impressive early performances from rookies Knuppel and Caleb Brenner.

If both sides decide to test the trade market soon, Ball’s age (24) will still attract attention from multiple teams around the league, but his hefty contract may deter some front offices. Ball is earning $37.9 million this season, and after the 2025-26 season,he still has over $130 million remaining on his contract for the next three years — coupled with his extensive injury history and ongoing debates about his on-court attitude, these three factors will heavily influence his trade value during negotiations.