Tension reportedly brewing between LaMelo Ball, Hornets

LaMelo Ball appears to be growing frustrated with the Hornets.

After being benched for the final 4:32 of Wednesday’s loss to the Pacers, Ball is open to a trade, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.

Charlotte has now lost four straight and sits at 4-11. Indiana entered the night 1-13 before picking up its second win.

Ball finished with 18 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals in 27 minutes, but shot 5-of-21 and committed six turnovers.

Ball later responded to the report on social media with a clown-face emoji.

The former Rookie of the Year has been limited by ankle injuries over the past few seasons, appearing in 105 of a possible 246 games leading into this year.

He has also missed six games this season with a right ankle impingement and has struggled with efficiency. Even so, Charlotte has consistently performed better with him on the floor than without him.

One issue for Ball, per Iko, is his desire to play in a more uptempo offense. The Hornets currently rank twentieth in pace.

The frustration may be mutual. Iko reports the front office has grown disillusioned with Ball and no longer views him as a long-term cornerstone.

He adds that the franchise is open to exploring a move.

Ball is on a maximum-salary contract that pays roughly $168.7 million over the next four years.