LaMelo Ball’s Relationship with Coach Charles Lee Under Scrutiny

LaMelo Ball and head coach Charles Lee of the Charlotte Hornets may not be on the same page, as noted by ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA center.

Perkins has raised concerns about a potential divide in their relationship, suggesting that Ball feels the team is restricting his playing time in light of upcoming trade talks.

On a recent episode of the podcast road trippin’, Perkins highlighted the tension between the star guard and his coach. He remarked, “Oh, it’s smoke out there.” According to Perkins, there’s a palpable disconnect: “Coach feels like LaMelo is not one of his guys. The Hornets will have to decide—either trade LaMelo or fire the coach. Those two don’t see eye to eye.” This conflict, he insists, is evident in the energy surrounding the team.

Drafted third overall in 2020, Ball is currently in his sixth season with the Hornets, but his playing time this season has been notably limited.

Additionally, Lee, who was appointed head coach before the 2024-25 season, has a history as an assistant coach in the league, contributing to title wins with both the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and the Boston Celtics in 2024.

In a more candid moment, Perkins shared an instance where emotions ran high, claiming LaMelo shouted at Lee after a game, leading to Perkins shouting back in frustration. He reiterated, “They’re not on the same page, man.”

The reported issues come during a puzzling period for Ball, who is averaging 19.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists this season. Although his shooting percentages are reasonable—41.3% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc—his playing time has sparked discussion.

This season marks a career-low for Ball, with him averaging just 27.8 minutes per game. In a recent game against the Raptors, he came off the bench for the first time since his rookie season and managed to score 33 points in only 27 minutes.

Ball has also struggled with ankle issues over the past few years, playing in just 105 games across three seasons. His time on the court has significantly decreased, with him averaging only 26.2 minutes per game, rarely hitting the 30-minute mark.

Despite the struggles, the Hornets have a 7-7 record over their last 14 games, displaying a surprising resilience within a season where they’ve faced challenges, including a 14-25 overall record. This current start, in fact, represents Ball’s best since 2021-22.