Overview
- Ball publicly refuted a Yahoo Sports report claiming he wanted out, telling reporters he wants to stay in Charlotte.
- Multiple insiders, including Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, report it is premature to treat him as an active trade candidate and that Charlotte is not currently fielding offers.
- Media have floated hypothetical deals — from a Clippers package to a Dallas concept involving Anthony Davis — but these are framed as speculative exercises.
- Durability and cost weigh heavily on his market, with reports noting extensive ankle issues, 182 missed games since 2020, and more than $130 million left on his contract.
- With the Hornets sliding to 4-13 and Ball sitting Sunday for right-ankle management, executives expect any serious talks to wait until closer to the Feb. 5 deadline.