Dec 29, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Following the Hornets’ disappointing road loss to the 2-13 Indiana Pacers — their fourth straight, dropping Charlotte to 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-11 record — star guard LaMelo Ball has grown increasingly frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade away from the franchise, multiple league sources told Yahoo Sports.

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Following the Hornets’ disappointing road loss to the 2-13 Indiana Pacers — their fourth straight, dropping Charlotte to 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-11 record — star guard LaMelo Ball has grown increasingly frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade away from the franchise, multiple league sources told Yahoo Sports. Yahoo! Sports | Nov. 20, 2025

You and LaMelo Ball are both point guards. How do you guys play off each other when you’re on the floor together, while you both play the same position in Charlotte? Collin Sexton: I would say just adjusting, at the end of the day. Give or take; he’ll bring it up, let him bring it up. If I get it, I’ll bring it up. So just playing off each other, but also building that trust between one another. I feel like with the way the game is going, you have to have that trust between the one and two, regardless of who brings it up, or who doesn’t bring it up, you’ve gotta have that trust. I feel we’ve been building that trust with each other every day. ScoopB.com | Nov. 18, 2025

Jon Krawczynski: So, we know they picked Edwards. But that’s not my little nugget for you all. It’s why they picked Edwards. There were a million different reasons in their evaluation. But one of them was that they had an interview with LaMelo Ball during this process—trying to figure out, ‘Hey, is this the guy for us?’ And LaMelo… did not interview very well. One of the questions they asked him was: ‘Hey LaMelo, after you’re done playing, what do you see yourself doing? What kind of things do you aspire to?’ And LaMelo said: ‘I want to be President of the United States.’ YouTube | Nov. 14, 2025

Rod Boone: LaMelo is out against Milwaukee tomorrow. Pat Connaughton (illness), Collin Sexton (right ankle strain) and KJ Simpson (L AC joint sprain) are probable. x.com | Nov. 11, 2025

Charlotte Hornets PR: OFFICIAL: @hornets have assigned LaMelo Ball and Mason Plumlee to the @greensboroswarm for practice today. x.com | Nov. 11, 2025

LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have been on the same team for 173 games. They’ve only played 41 together (23.7% of all games) since Miller was drafted reddit | Nov. 9, 2025

Ohm Youngmisuk: Hornets rule LaMelo Ball (right ankle impingement) out against Lakers. Twitter @NotoriousOHM | Nov. 9, 2025

All of it, though, begins with Ball, an extraordinary talent who has people around the league questioning whether the sum will ever equal the many intriguing parts: a 6-7 frame, deep shooting range and incredible playmaking vision and open floor ability. "He still doesn't know who he is," a Western Conference scout said. "But I think you can justify buying into the talent." That is why trying to come up with a proper gauge of Ball's trade value is nearly impossible. He has played in just 58.1% of Charlotte's games since being drafted No. 3 in 2020, and outside of one blowout loss in a play-in game, the Hornets haven't sniffed the playoffs. "Yes, he's talented, but he doesn't take basketball seriously enough," another West scout said. "It's hard to build a winner with him because of how he plays, and the liberties he takes for himself when he plays. "Would someone take a flier on him? For sure. But Charlotte isn't taking a flier price for him." ESPN | Nov. 8, 2025

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: LaMelo Ball open to being traded from Charlotte

Reporting by HoopsHype / Hoops Hype

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