LaMelo Ball has quietly had a dynamite season for the Charlotte Hornets. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, it has not helped to make the team better than a bottom feeder in the NBA standings. That is a major reason why a surprising new rumor has emerged about the one-time All-Star potentially being on the trade block this summer.
“NBA executives around the league have expanded their horizons on which potential stars could be next to change teams,” according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype. “The availability of Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is one of the stars several executives will be monitoring on the trade market this summer.”
If Ball forced his way out of Charlotte or the Hornets seriously considered trading their top star in the offseason, here are five teams that could target a trade for LaMelo Ball.
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Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have been linked to every major star that was rumored to be traded over the last few years. However, the team has yet to make that game-changing move for a new face of their franchise. After moving on from Jimmy Butler in February, they now have the cap space to bring in another All-Star level talent. At just 23, Ball seems like the type of player Miami would like to build around for the next decade.
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Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are having another strong season. However, there are doubts this is a team that can go all the way in 2025. The major reason why is Jamal Murray’s regression the last two seasons. If he is the reason why Denver falls short again in the NBA playoffs, shipping him off to Charlotte for the budding superstar is something the Nuggets will seriously consider this summer.
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Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have moved many of the expensive contracts they had on their payroll. They have cap space and badly need a new face of the franchise. How about a pair of brothers as the face of the Bulls franchise? LaMelo Ball is the type of budding superstar the club needs. And getting to play with older brother Lonzo would be a fascinating story next season.
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Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will have the most free cap space this summer. While they have struggled this season, they have a pair of nice young pieces in Cam Thomas and Cam Johnson. Adding LaMelo Ball to that mix could be the move that makes the Nets a team to be taken seriously next season. Plus, Brooklyn is one of the few teams in the league with the assets to easily make a trade with Charlotte.
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Utah Jazz
A move to Utah could be seen as a lateral move for Ball, but like the Nets, the Jazz are among the few teams that have the assets to make a deal possible. They will also have $156 million in cap space next season. Maybe Ball is one of two stars they add in the summer to get back to being a playoff team in the Western Conference.