Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Should Hornets trade LaMelo Ball amid injury woes?

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 7, 2025 3:53 PM ET

When the Charlotte Hornets selected LaMelo Ball with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the organization, as well as its fans, thought they had their franchise player.

Unfortunately, due to injuries, Ball has been limited on the court, and it may finally be time to make a trade while he is still valuable.

LaMelo Ball's injury history

Since entering the NBA, Ball has appeared in 237 of a potential 418, good for a 56.6% mark. That also includes the 2021-22 season when he appeared in 75 of 82 games, easily the most of his career.

Since that season, Ball's games played are as follows: 36, 22, 47 and 6 so far this season. That number is expected to remain at six after Friday as Ball has been downgraded to doubtful for the Hornets game Friday against the Miami Heat.

New year, same story

Last season, it was a right ankle injury that held Ball out of nearly half the season. The year before that? Another right ankle injury. What about the year before that? Yep, another right ankle injury.

Ball had surgery after last season that was expected to help his ankle health, but that same right ankle will have now held the six-year veteran out of three of the first nine games of the season.

LaMelo Ball will miss a third straight game tonight due to a right ankle impingement.

There is growing concern around the Hornets’ star having chronic ankle issues, which includes two separate surgeries on the aforementioned right one since 2023. pic.twitter.com/NIiH6fBGtw
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 7, 2025

Time for a trade?

So much of Charlotte's success is supposed to lie on the shoulders of Ball, but what good is that if he's not on the court? The consistent injuries are so frustrating for a fanbase that knows the talent and success Ball brings to its team when he's on the court.

As much as it would gut the fanbase, a trade to ship Ball out of town may need to happen sooner rather than later. It may be important to capitalize on the value that Ball still has before the ankle injuries become even more of a problem.

Possible suitors?

Ball is from California, making it likely that he may prefer to head somewhere closer to home. A couple of dark-horse teams that have the packages to acquires a superstar like Ball are the Orlando Magic and the previously mentioned Heat.

It is unlikely Charlotte would ship Ball to a team within the Eastern Conference, but anything could happen for the correct package.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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