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LaMelo Ball Predicted to Be Next NBA Star on Trade Block After Luka Doncic

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nathan Dougherty | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 4:44 PM ET

The blockbuster and largely unexpected trade that shipped Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers has reportedly prompted other league executives to think creatively, with LaMelo Ball identified as the next star who could be on the move.

The Charlotte Hornets have struggled to build a contending team around Ball, with the team finishing in the lottery all five years of his career and reaching the Play-In Tournament just twice.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Doncic trade could increase the likelihood that Ball will be traded as the Hornets consider moving into a full rebuild.

"Following the Luka Doncic trade, NBA executives around the league have expanded their horizons on which potential stars could be next to change teams," Scotto wrote. "The availability of Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is one of the stars several executives who spoke with HoopsHype will be monitoring on the trade market this summer."

Scotto added that Ball has a desire to play for a winning franchise and may not be willing to play through a rebuild with the Hornets.

"Will the Hornets equally want to pay Ball, who’s in the first year of a five-year, $204 million contract, while the team has yet to win with him as the face of the franchise and is in the early stages of a rebuild?" Scotto wrote.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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