LaVar Ball Urges Hornets to Sign Lonzo, Reunite Ball Brothers

The outspoken father believes the Ball brothers playing together would make the Hornets the "most-watched NBA team ever."

Feb. 26, 2026 at 5:49pm

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LaVar Ball, the father of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, is publicly urging the Charlotte Hornets to sign Lonzo as a free agent and reunite the Ball brothers on the same team. LaVar believes the Hornets would become the "most-watched NBA team ever" if they brought the brothers together, citing the current media landscape and the natural chemistry between Lonzo and LaMelo. However, the Hornets' current roster situation and their push for the playoffs may complicate the potential reunion.

Why it matters

The potential reunion of the Ball brothers on the Hornets would generate significant media attention and interest, but it remains to be seen whether the team's current roster and playoff aspirations would allow them to prioritize such a move.

The details

Lonzo Ball, 28, is a former No. 2 overall draft pick who has struggled with injuries in recent years. He is currently a free agent after being waived by the Utah Jazz. Meanwhile, the Hornets have surged in the second half of the season, led by LaMelo Ball and rookie Kon Knueppel. Adding Lonzo would require the Hornets to make a roster move, which they may be hesitant to do given the team's current chemistry and playoff push.

  • LaVar Ball made his comments on "The Big Baller Podcast" in February 2026.

The players

LaVar Ball

The outspoken father of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo Ball.

Lonzo Ball

A 28-year-old free agent guard who was once considered a promising two-way player before injuries derailed his career.

LaMelo Ball

The franchise cornerstone of the Charlotte Hornets and one of the NBA's rising young stars.

Brandon Miller

A key player for the Charlotte Hornets who has helped the team surge in the second half of the season.

Kon Knueppel

A rookie player for the Charlotte Hornets who has contributed to the team's recent success.

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What they’re saying

“Come on, man! You can ask anybody anywhere. They would become the most-watched NBA team ever. I say that on the fact of the mode that we're in right now. Folks don't need ESPN and all these shows now. There's too much streaming and podcasts, and all this stuff going on. The media attention is there! That's what I mean by the most watched and the biggest team ever, because of the timeframe we're in right now. That allows us to be that.”

— LaVar Ball

“I never taught them to play by themselves. You're not gonna ever see the best out of them until they're all together. Until that happens, you're only gonna get a little glimpse.”

— LaVar Ball

What’s next

The Hornets will need to evaluate whether adding Lonzo Ball to their roster would be a good fit, both in terms of team chemistry and their current push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

While the potential reunion of the Ball brothers on the Hornets would generate significant hype and attention, the team's current roster situation and playoff aspirations may take priority over such a move, at least in the short term.