Things couldn't be going more differently for the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers are enjoying their best stretch of regular season success in years after landing Luka Doncic, while the Hornets have the second worst record in the NBA and have been historically bad at times, including losing four straight games by a combined 152 points or 33 points per game.
The two teams happened to be linked together this season by an almost trade that drew headlines for it being rescinded after the fact. The Lakers infamously rescinded the trade after they failed to pass Mark Williams in a physical.
The Hornets contended that they had disclosed Williams injury history prior to the deal, but Los Angeles clearly disagreed, and the trade was voted. That failed trade has looked like a great thing for Los Angeles, who is currently thriving after having gone 17-4 in the last 21 games.
They have also been better than expected, relying on Jaxson Hayes, which has kept them from regretting not landing Williams. Meanwhile, according to Hoop Hype's Mike Scotto, the Hornets may be open to trading All-Star LaMelo Ball this summer.
Reporting on Mavs trade talks, what’s next for PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford, the futures of Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams and Miles Bridges, Raptors and Wizards updates, and interviews with Quentin Grimes, Guerschon Yabusele and Jusuf Nurkic. https://t.co/o1Arm4Mo4X
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 3, 2025
That would be a surprising development considering how bad they've been and the fact that they have been slowly building a solid young core.
The Los Angeles Lakers could be kept out of a potential LaMelo Ball trade sweepstakes
Ball and Brandon Miller are an intriguing core. If they were to land someone such as VJ Edgecombe in the 2025 NBA draft, then they could steadily improve. In that event, they could peak as teams such as the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks either age out of contention or are forced to break up their core due to the CBA.
On the other hand, they may feel that he isn't worth his $200 million price tag. If Ball becomes available, then the Hornets are almost certainly unlikely to do business with the Lakers again after the trade fiasco. While the Lakers may not have enough assets to acquire him anyway, should Ball become available after next season, then that might be a different story.
After all, they were able to hold on to their 2031 first-round pick. Even so, they don't have many other trade assets aside from Austin Reeves and Dalton Knecht, who was initially traded to the Hornets for Williams.
Even if they did, the Lakers would probably be out of luck with the Hornets unlikely to work with them again in the near future. All things considered, the Lakers rescinding the deal may still be worth it with them rolling and keeping their assets dry to see if another star shakes loose.