Hornets’ Latest Decision Puts LaMelo Ball’s Future in Jeopardy as Family Member’s LA Dream Gains Momentum

It’s gonna be a busy off-season at the Hive. Finishing the season with a 7-game losing streak to end up 14th in the West is their new reality now. They need fresh faces to make a step towards their first playoff appearance in a decade, but they face a dilemma. On one hand, they have LaMelo Ball – one of the league’s best young PGs coming off the back of a career season. Some even say that he’s the only reason they’re relevant. But on the other, his fitness and shooting inconsistencies have the Hornets questioning investing in him long-term.

Ball hasn’t played more than 50 games since 2022. In fact, he has only a combined 105 appearances since that 2021/22 season. But he’s still managing a career-high in points after a season that saw him averaging 25.2/4.9/7.4 in 47 games. And this is despite his shooting averages tumbling in the 40s. There has to be a change in status quo, as Ball continues to be on a max contract. So should they trade him? As ridiculous as that sounds, it’s more possible than some might think.

“One opposing executive told Hoops Wire that he’s been led to believe Brandon Miller is the lone untouchable on Charlotte’s roster — though he doesn’t think LaMelo Ball or Miles Bridges will be moved. ‘No one would pay what the Hornets are surely seeking for (either player),’ the executive said,” wrote Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.

Regardless of his fitness issues, he’s too good to rot away in a team that struggles to cross 20 wins a season. And seeing the Hornets not even mark him untouchable might see him move elsewhere come the 2025-26 season. But for any team, LaMelo won’t come cheap.

Brandon Miller is reportedly the only untouchable player on the Hornets’ roster, per @AmicoHoops

“One opposing executive told Hoops Wire that he’s been led to believe Brandon Miller is the lone untouchable on Charlotte’s roster — though he doesn’t think LaMelo Ball or Miles… pic.twitter.com/8TFUBprNjS

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 21, 2025

“If you were willing to part with Mark Williams—who’s 23 and pretty good, though he has some injury concerns—the next logical thing would be to also look at LaMelo Ball. He’s on a max contract, and they’re not winning, obviously, for the foreseeable future,” said NBA insider Mike Scotto.

There’s not been too many running around for his signature, as opposed to those of Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant. So, where will he move? His brother Lonzo Ball does have one dream – the LA Clippers. And there’s a world where that situation is actually possible.

Brother Lonzo’s dream of LaMelo Ball to the Clippers is not impossible

Ever since Scotto said what he did, Ball has publicly said he does not want a trade and shut down all speculation. And the Hornets followed suit. But hasn’t the Luka Doncic trade taught us anything? Anyone can pull a Nico Harrison nowadays, and while Melo to Clippers might not really suit Lob City or the Hornets, it doesn’t hurt to discuss the possibility for Lonzo’s sake.

“I low-key got Dylan Harper going to the Hornets and I got Melo going to the Clips,” Lonzo said on his podcast, What An Experience. First off, the Clippers aren’t moving either of James Harden or Kawhi Leonard around. And Ball’s currently on a whopping 5-year, $203,852,600 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. Even if the Clippers moved around a multiple other players, none of their salaries actually match Melo’s. But in hypothesis, who would be likely to go?

According to Sports Illustrated, the Clippers could offer Nicolas Batum, Kobe Brown, Drew Eubanks, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. But for a Hornets team looking to improve, not many on that list might seem tempting. Instead, they’ll be looking for some draft picks to seal the deal. Clippers’ current no. 30 pick isn’t enticing enough. But the 2027, 2029, and 2031 first-rounders on the other hand? A lot better.

Neither really want an ultimatum on the situation at hand. LaMelo Ball is loyal to Charles Lee’s Hornets project, no matter how dead it might look from the outside. But as the executive told HoopsWire, he isn’t untouchable like Brandon Miller. So in that case, do we have a wild Clippers trade on the cards?

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