Two of the most discussed potential trade assets after the controversial Luka Doncic trade are Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball and Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young.

League executives are monitoring both young stars closely as potential trade assets, according to a reliable source.

LaMelo Ball Trade Rumors: Will the Hornets Trade Their Franchise Star?

NBA Trade Rumors: LaMelo Ball, Trae Young Could Find New NBA Trade Rumors: LaMelo Ball, Trae Young Could Find New
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LaMelo Ball has been the lone bright spot on the hapless Hornets, contributing 26.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per contest. Even with his fantastic production, Charlotte is at the basement of the standings at 14-45, casting doubt on whether the franchise will spend for the future around him or engage in a top-down rebuild.

Ball is under contract for five years and $203.9 million, so he is a coveted asset for any team seeking to acquire an elite playmaker. Several NBA executives, says Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, think the Hornets should consider trading Ball this offseason to clear cap space and accumulate future assets.

If Charlotte chooses to relocate him, teams looking for a dynamic scoring weapon and floor general will certainly queue up with trade proposals. A trade featuring Ball would jumpstart a wholesale rebuild for the Hornets while enabling them to retool for long-term contention.

Trae Young's Contract Situation Propels Hawks Trade Speculation

Similar to Ball, the future of Trae Young in Atlanta is also up in the air. The Hawks' franchise point guard is under a five-year, $215.2 million deal, with a player option for the 2026-27 season. He will make $46 million in 2025-26, and if he turns down his player option, he can negotiate a new max extension of $229 million this summer.

With Atlanta currently holding a mediocre 27-33 record, the franchise faces a tough decision: Do they commit to Young with a long-term extension, or do they look to trade him before his contract balloons? Scotto reports that some NBA executives believe the Hawks could explore a deal rather than risk paying him even more in the coming years.

According to Hardwood Heroics, the Hawks have had their ups and downs since Young became their leader, getting a shock Eastern Conference Finals push but enduring several early postseason exits in the process.

Since the organization itself appears lost somewhere in between in the division hierarchy, perhaps relocating Young could be that shot in the arm Atlanta will need to rearrange its unit.

Where Ball and Young Could End Up?

With Doncic in Los Angeles and De'Aaron Fox going to the San Antonio Spurs, the list of possible destinations for Ball and Young is slightly smaller. Yet a number of teams still require a franchise point guard and may put a move on one of these superstars.