Fresh NBA Trade Rumors on Lonzo Ball Joining LaMelo, Hornets amid James Harden, Darius Garland Buzz

A Ball brother reunion could be on the horizon amid trade rumors linking veteran guard Lonzo Ball to the Charlotte Hornets.

According to The Stein Line's Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, a "preliminary conversation" has taken place between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Hornets regarding a potential trade of Ball to Charlotte in exchange for second-round draft picks.

Per Stein and Fischer, the Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz are among teams attempting to facilitate multi-team trades and take back salary in trades in hopes of securing draft picks.

If Ball does get traded to the Hornets, he will join forces with his younger brother, LaMelo Ball, who has been with Charlotte since the organization selected him third overall in the 2020 NBA draft.

The Cavs have been the subject of multiple rumors leading up to Thursday's trade deadline, including SI.com's Chris Mannix reporting Monday that they have discussed a trade that would send guard Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard James Harden.

Cleveland already made one notable trade as well, sending forward De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for guards Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis.

With Schröder and Ellis joining the starting backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Garland, it is fair to say that Ball has become expendable.

The 28-year-old veteran is in the midst of his seventh NBA season overall and his first with the Cavs after Cleveland acquired him in an offseason trade with the Chicago Bulls.

Originally the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Ball was dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade after just two seasons in L.A.

Ball missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to knee injuries, but he returned to appear in 35 games for the Bulls last season.

So far this season, Ball has played in 35 games, and if he appears in one more contest, it will mark his most games played in a single season since the 2020-21 campaign.

Ball has delivered career-low production almost across the board this season, averaging 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 three-pointers made in 20.8 minutes per game.

While he is shooting just 30.1 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from beyond the arc, Ball is still a capable playmaker and defender.

If the Cavs trade Ball to Charlotte, he will join a Hornets team that is 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 23-28 record.

Pelicans-Hornets Full Highlights

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They have not reached the playoffs since 2016, and it is fair to wonder if Ball would receive much or any playing time with the Hornets given that they would conceivably prefer to focus on utilizing and developing young players.

Ball has a club option in his contract for next season, meaning he will become a free agent during the offseason if that option is declined.

That should make his contract tradable prior to Thursday's deadline, but there is no guarantee Ball will have a consistent role for the remainder of the season if he is moved.