LaMelo Ball is being strongly pursued by multiple teams and the Charlotte Hornets are engaging on trade talks, sources tell ESPN's Shams Charania.

Ball would like to remain with the Hornets, but a trade could materialize over the next 24 to 48 hours. Ball has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $203.9 million contract signed with the Hornets in 2023 and is represented by Sam Permut. 

Ball appeared in 72 games last season with the Hornets, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 28.0 minutes.

The Hornets are exploring a reset of their core around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel despite presently being in a good place with Ball. The Hornets had a strong second half to the season and reached the play-in games where they defeated the Miami Heat before losing to the Orlando Magic.

Ball was third overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft and won Rookie of the Year in 2021 before being named to the All-Star team in 2022. Ball dealt with injuries in each of the next three seasons.

Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report that the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks are three of the teams with trade interest in Ball.