LaMelo Ball’s Frustration Grows Amid Hornets’ Struggles
With just 4:32 remaining in a Wednesday night showdown against the Indiana Pacers—the team currently holding the worst record in the NBA—Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee made a pivotal decision: he benched LaMelo Ball. This marked a frustrating turn for the talented guard, who was playing in his second consecutive game after missing six of the previous seven due to injury. Ball’s performance against the Pacers was lackluster at best, tallying just 18 points on an inefficient 5-of-21 shooting, including a dismal 2-of-11 from beyond the arc, along with six turnovers.
Minutes Restriction and Underlying Frustrations
The benching, however, was not a traditional discipline. Ball had reached his minutes limit for the evening, which has hovered around 27 minutes since his return. This restriction has become a point of contention—not only for fans frustrated with his injury history and on-court performance but also for Ball himself. As reported by Kelly Iko, LaMelo is increasingly frustrated with the Hornets’ organization and is reportedly open to the idea of a trade.
Once a beacon of optimism since his arrival in Charlotte, Ball’s sentiments seem to have shifted dramatically. Just seven months ago, during exit interviews, he expressed his affection for the city and the franchise. “Just being here, I love it,” he stated. “The fans are amazing. The living situation has been amazing, everything’s been solid. All that ‘you need to leave’, this and that, when you build something, it’s never just going to pop off and be the best thing. You gotta stay there, work it out, do what you gotta do, and see what happens if you’re trying to make it work.”
Current State of the Hornets
Fast forward to today, and the Hornets find themselves struggling with a dismal 4-11 record. LaMelo is averaging 21.6 points per game, but his shooting percentages—38.5% overall and 29.8% from three—underscore his ongoing difficulties. The situation has been compounded by injuries to key players like Brandon Miller, Josh Green, and Grant Williams, leaving the team unable to gain any momentum.
President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson has repeatedly emphasized patience and the importance of not rushing the rebuilding process. However, as losses continue to pile up, the Hornets’ collective patience may soon wear thin. The current atmosphere surrounding the team suggests that difficult conversations about the future, particularly concerning LaMelo Ball, are not just on the horizon—they may be inevitable.
