If the Nets went after Ball, they'd likely have to give up a mix of young players (potentially the rookies) as well as first-round draft capital. Still, Brooklyn has accumulated so many future assets that it would have plenty left over after a trade.

The Charlotte Hornets are 4-9 and showing no evidence of being a playoff team now or in the immediate future, despite having a young core of players that, on paper, looks like a potential nucleus of a future contender.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has already missed five out of 11 games so far this season, but he's shown why he was a top-three draft pick when he has played. The 24-year-old is averaging 23.3 points on 43 percent shooting (33.3 percent 3-point) with 7.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists over 33.3 minutes a night thus far.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is the unquestioned king of the youth. Young basketball fans hang on every move, meme, and merch drop from the NBA All-Star. Ball's signature sneaker line with PUMA has been highly successful thanks to its authentic style,

LaMelo Ball's answer to a pre-draft interview question leading up to the 2020 NBA draft reportedly raised some eyebrows among those in the Minnesota Timberwolves front office.

Before the 2020 NBA Draft, Ball told Minnesota, which held the top pick, he aspired to be U.S. president when his playing days were done.

LaMelo Ball once told the Timberwolves he wanted to become President of the United States after retiring from basketball.

Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball told the Timberwolves during his pre-draft interview that he held aspirations to become the President of the United States after his NBA career is over, according to a report in The Athletic.

The Minnesota Timberwolves apparently took a pass on drafting LaMelo Ball when he told them he ultimately wanted to be President of the United States.

Kon Knueppel returned to his hometown of Milwaukee on Friday and registered his best game as a professional to lead the Hornets in an overtime loss.