LaMelo Ball Clown Emoji Mocks Hornets' Trade Rumors

LaMelo Ball pushed back on trade chatter by reposting Kelly Iko’s Yahoo piece with a clown emoji after reports that he’s "grown increasingly frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade away from the franchise." The story also says the front office has "become disillusioned" and is "open to moving him." Ball, playing under a minutes restriction for a right ankle issue, is still averaging 21.6 points, 9.6 assists and 6.9 rebounds in nine games — a reality that makes any move consequential for the Hornets’ rebuild. Merlin sees a simmering standoff: Ball’s flippant reply is a public rebuke but not a resignation. The franchise’s doubts, his health and his production create three paths — reconciliation, a tense season-long saga, or a trade if chemistry and front-office patience break. The next weeks will tell which path unfolds.