First, it started with a simple clown emoji for LaMelo Ball, who wanted to immediately downplay recent trade rumors regarding his name.
Now, Ball broke his silence with a direct response to recent reports that suggested he was open to moving on from the Charlotte Hornets.
“[The reporter] never heard that come from me,” Ball told the AP. “So, the source is not from me. So, it’s just false info… I love being here.”
Ball expanded on that quote by adding, “I’m just trying to win—that’s it. That’s what we’re going to keep doing.”
Winning—or lack thereof—has been a major issue for Chalotte throughout the Ball era. Not only has the star guard struggled to stay healthy throughout his tenure, the but the roster hasn’t been prepared to compete at a high level in the Eastern Conference.
Ball has been with the Hornets since 2020, and he hasn’t played in a single playoff series.
A report from Yahoo Sports on Thursday sparked the LaMelo Ball trade drama as it suggested that Ball has “grown increasingly frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade away from the franchise.”
Not long after the report surfaced, Ball took to the social media platform X to respond with a clown emoji, suggesting that the report doesn’t carry any truth. He would confirm that much on Friday, when speaking with reporters.
For what it’s worth, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported that he believes with “absolute certainty” that the Hornets are not willing to entertain trade offers for Ball at this time. The team wants to get a longer look at Ball’s fit with Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Ryan Kalkbrenner. Injuries have affected the group’s time together so far.
This season, Ball has made nine appearances for the Hornets. While making just 38 percent of his shots from the field, he is averaging 21.6 points per game. Beyond that, Ball is posting averages of 6.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists.
It seems too early for the Hornets’ hand to be forced to move Ball. If the guard is truly searching for a way out, which he clearly denies, then the Hornets don’t have to feel any rush to move on from Ball anytime soon. But if the Hornets’ struggles persist, then Ball will be a name to keep an eye on later in the year.
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