LaMelo Ball and Trae Young are potential NBA trading targets

NBA Trade Rumors: LaMelo Ball and Trae Young are potential NBA trading targets

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype believes that a number of young NBA players, such as LaMelo Ball and Trae Young, could be attractive trade targets in the offseason.

 Ball and the Charlotte Hornets are now in the middle of a five-year, $203.85 million contract.  The 23-year-old is expected to be one of the most prominent players on the trade market, according to executives.

 "The availability of Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is one of the stars several executives who spoke with HoopsHype will be monitoring on the trade market this summer," Scotto stated.

 This season, Ball is averaging 26.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists for the Hornets, who have a dismal 14-45 record.

Ball has been the team's face since being selected third overall in 2020, and if the Hornets decide to put him on the trade market, it would likely signal a complete franchise rebuild as they clear his maximum salary. Another Eastern Conference rebuild could come in the offseason with the Atlanta Hawks and Young, who is currently under a five-year, $215.16 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks and has a player option at the end of the 2026 season. Ball will probably want to start winning after leading the team to two Play-In Tournaments in his first two seasons, the team's greatest advancement in nine years.

Young is due $46 million for the 2025–2026 season, has a $48.97 million player option for the 2026–2027 season, and is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension this summer, according to Scotto. "The question on the mind of executives around the league is whether or not Atlanta will commit a long-term extension to Young this summer or look to move him before having to pay him more money," Scotto stated.

The former fifth overall pick may be searching for a new home this summer given the Hawks' one trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, two losses in the first round of the playoffs, and three postseason absences.

 According to Scotto, the Hawks are 27-33 this season and the executives aren't sure if they want to sign Young to a long-term contract extension.