Raptors Emerge as Suitor for LaMelo Ball
The Toronto Raptors are among several teams expressing interest in Charlotte Hornets star point guard LaMelo Ball, according to multiple NBA insiders. ESPN's Shams Charania reported late Wednesday that the Hornets are actively engaging in trade talks for Ball, with multiple teams pursuing the 24-year-old guard aggressively.
Charania stated that Ball prefers to remain in Charlotte, but the Hornets are fielding offers and could move him if the price is met. Former ESPN insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line added that the Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves are two teams that have emerged with interest, citing league sources. Stein's colleague Jake Fischer noted that Ball had been looking forward to building on Charlotte's momentum from the 2025-26 season, but the Hornets are indeed exploring the trade market for their franchise guard.
Raptors' Assets and Ambitions
Raptors general manager Bobby Webster hinted at a potential big move during a media call after the first round of the NBA draft Wednesday. He acknowledged that the team has been stockpiling assets and is now ready to be a participant in the trade market. Toronto owns all its future first-round picks, giving them a significant advantage over Minnesota, which has already dealt away many future picks.
Ball, the third overall pick in the 2020 draft, has three years left on his contract at a reasonable rate, starting at $40 million this season and rising to over $46 million in the third year. He averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists in 72 games for the Hornets in 2025-26, though injury concerns have been a factor. Ball missed significant time in the prior three seasons after playing 75 games as a sophomore.
Potential Trade Packages
A potential trade could involve the Raptors offering starting point guard Immanuel Quickley or RJ Barrett, along with future draft picks and possibly promising rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. Charlotte would likely ask for Murray-Boyles, who had a stellar rookie season, along with Quickley and multiple first-round picks. Toronto could counter with Ja'Kobe Walter instead of Murray-Boyles, but the Hornets would seek maximum value.
The Timberwolves face challenges in constructing a competitive offer due to limited draft capital and salary cap constraints. They could include Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo to match salaries, but without McDaniels, Toronto can easily outbid Minnesota. Ball's injury history and unique personality add risk to any deal.
Raptors' Path Forward
The Raptors have been patient, building a young core and becoming the youngest team in the playoffs. Webster emphasized the team's desire to make a splash, and Ball could be the target. However, ESPN's Bobby Marks also speculated about a possible Kawhi Leonard return to Toronto, though Leonard's preference for the West Coast makes that unlikely. The next 24-48 hours could determine whether Ball remains in Charlotte or heads to a new team.
