Emergency podcast time. A report from Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko has sent shockwaves through Buzz City, claiming LaMelo Ball is "open to a trade" and the organization is hesitant about his future as a foundational piece. Walker Mehl and Doug Branson react immediately to the news, dissecting the validity of the "league sources" cited and discussing whether this is actual fire or just smoke from a frustrated camp.

The guys analyze LaMelo’s social media response—a simple clown emoji—and the team’s strategic release of a bonding video featuring Ball at rookie Kon Knueppel’s family home. Is this damage control, or is the report overblown? We look at the timeline of events, the mounting losses, and the lingering injury frustrations that may have led to this boiling point.

Furthermore, if the unthinkable happens, what does a LaMelo Ball trade look like? Walker and Doug fire up the trade machine to explore potential destinations, including a "mess for mess" swap involving names like Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, a talent consolidation with the Orlando Magic, or a move to the Golden State Warriors involving Jonathan Kuminga. The conversation shifts to how a move would impact the timeline of young stars like Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. Join us for a raw, real-time reaction to the biggest storyline of the Hornets' season.

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Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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