EMERGENCY POD: LaMelo Ball Leaving Hornets? | Trade Rumors EXPLODE Post-Report
A shocking report suggests LaMelo Ball might be open to a trade from the Charlotte Hornets following a disappointing start to the season. We analyze the validity of the rumors, LaMelo’s social media response, and what a potential blockbuster deal could look like.
Emergency podcast time. A report from Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko has sent shockwaves through Buzz City, claiming LaMelo Ball is “open to a trade” and the organization is hesitant about his future as a foundational piece. Walker Mehl and Doug Branson react immediately to the news, dissecting the validity of the “league sources” cited and discussing whether this is actual fire or just smoke from a frustrated camp.
The guys analyze LaMelo’s social media response—a simple clown emoji—and the team’s strategic release of a bonding video featuring Ball at rookie Kon Knueppel’s family home. Is this damage control, or is the report overblown? We look at the timeline of events, the mounting losses, and the lingering injury frustrations that may have led to this boiling point.
Furthermore, if the unthinkable happens, what does a LaMelo Ball trade look like? Walker and Doug fire up the trade machine to explore potential destinations, including a “mess for mess” swap involving names like Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, a talent consolidation with the Orlando Magic, or a move to the Golden State Warriors involving Jonathan Kuminga. The conversation shifts to how a move would impact the timeline of young stars like Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. Join us for a raw, real-time reaction to the biggest storyline of the Hornets’ season.
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets
Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
Get Doug’s gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com
Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM
Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise
Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history
📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter
Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets
Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl
Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH
For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.
eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Now through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets
42 Comments
If you trade your 6ft7, 24 y/o mixed all star then you better be getting Paolo Banchero in return. Otherwise this is the Luka trade 2.0
When is he leaving?
Hornets get all that talent and can’t even fuckin play together, and put up multiple wins. Young players nowadays are not serious about winning and competing.
Lol maybe Ja or Davis?
Lamelo ball has never been serious about winning for starters, needs to lift some heavy ass weights and needs to be more available and play hurt sometimes
Charlotte will do like they've done with most of their potential stars before Melo, only 1 ever became an MVP & Finals MVP none the less
He' a cash cow that's could be hard to sell, But let's be honest,, since Letting Kemba go for nothing, Rozier, Malik Monk deal's,
trading Shai" Gilgeous-Alexander, now Melo'dramatic's. Charlotte just can't get right.
Is it the state or what, Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans , maybe should not be allowed to have an NBA team.
Trading lamelo because of a sub par coach like charles lee would be insanity.
There has to be A lil Truth in This . The Reporter Didn't just make this up . Id say it's the hornets front office. Getting rumors started . If it's melo
If they weren’t so expensive it’d be nice to package him with Miles for something great or more picks
the Hornets mgmt are thinking about Dylan Harper specifically
I don't mind it tbh. But Charlotte better not get finessed bruh. They better get something out of the trade.
the main problem with the hornets is not any one player. its the lack of a primary attacker. everyone besides Tre Mann is too scared to initiate. literally Tre Mann is the secret best player. This is why Bmill is critical.
This is what happens when you shoot 2 for a hundred and lose to a team that's won 1 game. People talk. Balls play, among other things, is why we lost. It would be wrong for it to have come from him after that sorry play. He hasnt been healthy, has years on the contract…I think its just noise from outside.
on the important topic of 2k, Kon Knueppel rating has been bumped to 82 overall. Cooper Flagg bumped down to 80. The Hornets have 4 guys with 80+ overall incldng Miller. On paper, that's incredible. If Kalkbrenner and Sexton can get from 79 to 80, you have a really good playoff product.
I ran into this story doomscrolling at about 4:30 this morning, but didn't take it too seriously until I saw this on my YouTube feed when I sat down for breakfast. I really appreciate this pod. I've been a faithful listener since the Borrego days, and you guys just keep getting better. Really enjoy your thoughtful takes.
Is Kelly Iko tapped in? any rockets fan will tell you otherwise, he’s never been know to have nailed on or reliable league sources.
Bye Felicia!
I’m a cowboys fan this exactly like when Jerry and Stephen jones was saying Micah would be a cowboy for life but then when he’s traded the first thing they said was “they gave us a offer we just simply couldn’t refuse”
I think Jeff is shopping melo on the lowest of keys trying to get the phones to ring.. and if Melo is moved he’ll say the same thing.. “they gave us a offer we just couldn’t refuse”
It’s funny how we had Cam Newton as the most polarizing NFL player for years and now the most talented superstar the Hornets ever walked into is also now perhaps… the most polarizing player in the NBA. I have such Deja vu around some of the lamelo convos. It’s so strange
Is anyone else seeing similarities to how the media and fans treated Cam Newton? Especially after Luke(Kon) came to town and became a fan favorite.
Charlotte Hornets GM always did the impressive works: Mitch Kupchak and now Jeff Peterson — Kyle Lowry Terry Rozier trade in 2024 & Mark Williams Dalton Knecht trade in 2025.
So Hornets can make other trade with heat and got Terry back and other first round pick or make it complex four teams trade. Hornets organization good at complex works.
Hornets received: Terry Rozier (26.6M) + Kyle Kuzma (22.4M) + Jalen Smith (9.0M) [58.0M] + Heat pick
Heat received: Lamelo Ball [37.9M]
Bucks received: Norman Powell [20.4M]
Bulls received: Pat Connaughton [9.4M]
Who would trade for a goof ball
This trade would be the greatest move in a decade for hornets. Develop Knueppel, a real basketball player. Not a tiktok goofball.
He shot five of 21 get rid of him and Miles Bridges
The organization and the fans are growing increasingly frustrated with lamelo because he can't stay on the court, he always getting hurt!
Charles lee late decision cost hornets at least 5 losses this season
On previous time Melo had been mentioned as leaving the hornets I've been nooooooo! We must keep him.
This is the first time I saw it and said to myself, well if he goes he goes. With all the injuries it's almost like he's not here anyway.
Melo replied to this guys "breaking news" with a clown face emoji. I'm not worried.
Finally, trade lamelo ball to the Warriors
Lamelo (the least serious nba player in the league besides Ja) wanting to leave signals to me that this organization is heading in the right direction and is taking the game seriously. I’ve wanted Lamelo gone for the last 2 years and with Kon here I’m chomping at the bit for buddy to be off this team. Lamelo fans can go with him!
Portland: maybe scoot, Grant lol (2x grant) , Rob Will oe Duop , & Kris Murray
Kuminga, TJD , & Podz?
Go for Trey Murphy or Herb pls
LaMelo appears to be more intelligent when he doesn't speak. His interviews are horrible. He always says some stupid ass shit. Trade him to China.
Lamello for Steph Curry and 5 first round picks for Utahs Center and for the move to be smooth. A 2nd round pick for klay to give his bro and allow him to Give his Dads team a Ring, he'll come home. Golden State originally wanted Lamello to draft
#1 only 2 a LA or Oakland team, that’s where he wanna go. Listen Charlotte ain’t gonna never win a championship
Zion to Hornets, Pascal to Pelicans, Melo and Saddiq to Indy
Great News! Lamelo is hard to root for healthy or not, the guy grew up on 100pts half court fast break drills. He can’t contribute to no winning records.
Of course wer're keeping Melo. The key is a quality backup PG for insurance. Give the team a chance to cook.
Trae Young for Lamelo Ball ! Oooorrr ask for De’Aaron Fox
Trade Melo for a nice front-loader washing machine and count it as your good fortune.
Porque nunca hablan de Moussa Diabate que en mi opinión mete, corre, rebotea, mete tapas, volcadas, puntos.
Para mi Moussa Diabate puede ser mejor que Jalen Duren, misma edad, misma altura, la diferencia es que Hornets lo hace comer banco a Diabate.
PD: Tampoco se olvide Hornets que Jalen Duren era nuestro en la posición 13 y lo regalamos. Menos mal, sino estaría comiendo banco y no explotando como lo hace en Pistons.