LaMelo Ball Miles Bridges Trade Drama Rocks Hornets

The Hornets face trade chatter ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. LaMelo Ball is linked to rumors but Charlotte is "hopeful" they can keep him, "if only because it makes little sense to trade him now." Miles Bridges is "drawing significant interest" from teams like Milwaukee, Golden State and Phoenix, though the Hornets want a first round pick or "maybe two" and some suitors have stumbled over proposed returns. Merlin sees the math clearly. Ball carries a long, pricey deal and uneven availability, so he feels less movable today. Bridges has one year left and steady scoring, so he is the likelier asset to fetch draft capital and let Charlotte lean on Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner for a reset.