The 2024-25 NBA season has been nothing short of disheartening for the Charlotte Hornets. With a record of 14-47 (second-worst in the league), the Hornets once again find themselves at the bottom of the standings and in line for yet another lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
In yet another season marked by frustration, NBA insider Michael Scotto’s recent comments have many wondering about the uncertain future of Hornets star LeMelo Ball.
Is This LaMelo Ball’s Last Season in Charlotte?
Scotto’s revealed that the All-Star point guard, now entering his fifth NBA season, is increasingly prioritizing winning, which starkly contrasts with the current state of the Hornets organization.
“If you were willing to part with Mark Williams—who’s 23 and pretty good, though he has some injury concerns—the next logical thing would be to also look at LaMelo Ball,” Scotto said. “He’s on a max contract, and they’re not winning, obviously, for the foreseeable future.
“For LaMelo, he wants to win. This is now going to be his fifth season. How much longer does he see himself there? I also think not being an All-Star and not winning affected him. He had the numbers on paper, but Charlotte’s record hurt his chances. From what I’ve been told, he wants to win competitively.”
Organizational instability, a string of questionable roster moves, and seemingly annual coaching changes have only compounded the team’s woes. The Hornets’ inability to secure wins, coupled with a lack of a real identity, has left fans and analysts alike questioning the long-term vision of the franchise.
With the franchise mired in a rebuild and sporting a dismal record, the situation poses a pivotal question: How much longer will Ball remain patient in an organization that has yet to deliver competitive success?
LaMelo Ball’s 2024-25 Season: High Numbers, Low Wins
On paper, Ball is producing at an elite level. Averaging around 26.2 points per game along with 7.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds, Ball continues to dazzle with his elite scoring and playmaking.
This angle of LaMelo Ball crossing up Luka Doncic and diming Mark Williams 🤯🔥
(via @BenGolliver) pic.twitter.com/R8ewMbcy8m
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 20, 2025
Yet, his statistical brilliance has not translated into wins for the Hornets. His high usage rate (hovering at nearly 35%) has forced him to shoulder an enormous offensive load, leading to a high turnover rate that, in part, reflects the lack of supporting talent and an effective system around him.
Part of the issue, however, is that Ball has struggled to stay on the floor over the course of his NBA career. Having played in less than half of possible games over the past few years, the sporadic nature of his contributions further underscores the disconnect between his individual talent and the overall team success.
This inconsistency not only affects his ability to win personal awards but also undermines his legacy as a generational-type player who can lead a team deep into the playoffs.
Management’s Dilemma: Trade or Transformation?
From the front office’s perspective, the Hornets’ prolonged losing streak has sparked serious discussions about the future of their marquee asset. Since signing a five-year, $203.8 million extension, Ball’s contract has ballooned into a significant salary cap figure.
Considering Charlotte hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016 and has had just one winning season since taking Ball with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, retaining such an expensive player becomes an incredibly risky proposition.
As Scotto noted, with the Hornets’ struggles unlikely to cease in the near future, the risk of having an expensive, high-usage player on a non-competitive team grows even more apparent.
From Ball’s perspective, it goes without saying that winning will become a crucial component of his legacy, something that no amount of scoring titles or triple-doubles can fully compensate for.
So, it seems that the odds of the two parties parting ways in the near future are growing increasingly likely, and it could be a mutually beneficial divorce.