LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges Hope To Stay Before Trade Deadline

Merlin sees the Hornets trying to hang onto their young core as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches and LaMelo Ball surfaces as a top trade candidate. Teammates pushed back on the chatter, with Miles Bridges saying, "I feel like everybody else wants everybody to stay together," and Brandon Miller adding, "That's the goal, to have everybody stay here." Charlotte sits 18-28 and has won three of four, feeding hope that the group might be worth keeping intact. Merlin notes the players are locked on the court and tell reporters, "We only can control what we can control," while Bridges says he is ready for any outcome but would rather stay. The front office will balance short term momentum against long term strategy, so unity helps now but may not stop a move.