NBA Trade Rumors: Insider Doubles Down on LaMelo Ball's Desire to Leave Hornets Despite Star's Public Denial 

LaMelo Ball has dominated the NBA trade rumors this past week after insider Kelly Iko reported that the former All-Star was open to a move out of Charlotte. Iko stated that Ball was growing frustrated after another losing start to the season for the Hornets, who were 4-11 on Thursday.

Ball responded to Iko's tweet with a clown emoji. He then addressed it on Friday with the Media, saying the insider never heard it from him, labeling it as "false info." The saga continued on Monday after Iko doubled down on it on "The Kevin O'Connor Show," saying:

"I've been in this game a long time, you understand. Star player is frustrated, report comes out, star player denies it. And in the middle of the night, weeks or months down the line when he's traded, no one circles back to it. I wasn't fazed, I wasn't surprised by it. I knew it was coming. It's the politics of it all."

r/CharlotteHornets

@HornetsReddit

🎙️ @KellyIko on LaMelo Ball denying his report: "I wasn't surprised by it; I knew it was coming. It's the politics of it all."​"I've been in this game a long time, you understand... star player is frustrated, report comes out, star player denies it. And in the middle of the night, weeks or months down the line when he's traded, no one circles back to it."

Multiple other insiders have confirmed the trade rumors around Ball despite his rejection. Insider Jake Fischer reported Sunday that he wasn't a concern off the floor amid being open to a trade due to the team's lack of success.

r/CharlotteHornets

@HornetsReddit

"LaMelo Ball is not a character concern off the floor by any means, to my understanding, even if sources say it's indeed true that he's been frustrated by the team's lack of forward progress." 🤔​"The Hornets are unlikely to get the sort of offers for Ball they'd be hoping for until their star guard can get through a stretch of sustained production, availability and ideally some winning. No wonder the Hornets, as league sources maintain, are not currently interested in looking to move him."​"One source said it was way too soon. Another source passed along that the Hornets might eventually reach a point before the Feb. 5 trade deadline that they decide to seriously field offers for the former All-Star guard but echoed the notion that we're not there yet."

However, the Hornets are not "currently" interested in moving Ball as his value has dipped and won't revive until he can play frequently, maintain elite production and contribute to winning.

Meanwhile, insider Marc Stein reported Monday that rival teams are anticipating LaMelo Ball to be available at the trade deadline.

Fullcourtpass

@Fullcourtpass

Teams are anticipating that LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, and Trae young could be available by the trade deadline, per @TheSteinLine (Via @ALLCITY_NBA, h/t @NBA__Courtside)

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Former NBA stars back LaMelo Ball amid Hornets turmoil

LaMelo Ball's Hornets tenure has been polarizing. Many have blamed his shortcomings as a player, whether it was his game or injuries, as a reason for the team's failures.

However, former players Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams pointed the finger at the Hornets for not forming a solid supporting cast around him. Parson said Ball might never reach his potential in a Hornets uniform.

"I don't think he'll ever reach his full potential in Charlotte ... I don't think it's his fault," Parsons said on Monday (via Run It Back). "I think he does have some maturing to do on and off the court. But I think his talent is undeniable ... (he's a) 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7 point guard that has everything."

Chandler Parsons mentioned the Rockets as a potential suitor, where LaMelo Ball could thrive without having to be their best player.

Run It Back

@RunItBackFDTV

There's been conflicting reports on whether or not LaMelo Ball wants out of Charlotte. Whether they're true or not, Chandler Parsons doesn't believe LaMelo will ever reach his full potential in Charlotte. Imagine him in Houston 👀🤔 @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons |

Meanwhile, Lou Williams added:

"When it comes to the Charlotte Hornets, I don't think he deserves the brunt of where this is going. You gotta put a lot of talent around him. ... We've seen good talented players in a Charlotte Hornets uniform come and go. There's no consistency there."

Williams said he won't blame Ball for seeking better opportunities with a talented team around him after the situation with the Hornets has repeatedly failed to improve. He's yet to make his playoffs debut after five seasons and it could soon be six if Charlotte, now 4-13, 12th in the East, continues to lose at this rate.