RealGM

Let's say
1-Char wins lotto, adds Flagg. Decides they want to turn over the team to him
2-Hou goes out in the first round

Ball for #10, Sheppard, Landale, AHoliday, Whitmore

I think the # works, if the #10 is signed and traded 2 months later (if that is still legal)

Char goes with an awesome young core of
Sheppard/Nick Smith
Miller/Green
Whitmore/GWilliams
Flagg/Salaun (man, they should have drafted Matas)
Williams/Nurkic
Then, trade Bridges for Rozier (expiring)
Holiday/Landale/Okogee/Rozier are harmless expiring vets
Pick BPA at #10 (lots of good options here-I like Fears if there)

Hou works out a cheaper deal with FVV and goes with
Ball/FVV
Green/Amen
Brooks/Amen
Smith/Eason/Amen
Sengun/?/Smith

I know, Ball isn't a Hou type player but he's super talent and I think Udoka could turn him into a real star. Hous would still have plenty of draft capital to give up for another star, if necessary

I'd do it if I were Houston.

I'm glad you didn't attempt to put a rationale for Charlotte

HornetJail wrote:I'm glad you didn't attempt to put a rationale for Charlotte

Sorry, I did but didn't make it clear. They want it to be "Flagg's team", not Ball's
Build around Sheppard/Miller/Flagg/Williams/Whitmore/#10 pick, and clear future cap space to play with

Pretty far short for Charlotte to do this. If they get Flagg I think they happily proceed with their core three of Ball-Miller-Flagg. That should be the foundation of long term success and easy to build around.

I think if CLT gets Flagg.. They really should keep Ball and enjoy having those 3 young players for as long as it’s lasts.

I'm not sure Ball is actually a good player....and then the personality issues...and then the injuries.

I don't think Houston would be interested in him at all.

Give me Ball over Whitmore, Reed and #10 for an awesome core any day. Also, questioning Ball's personality is hilarious considering who Houston has at the five.

Why would we traded Bridges for Rozier straight up - makes no sense. Miles has been good this year and an iron man on a descending contract...

ejftw wrote:Give me Ball over Whitmore, Reed and #10 for an awesome core any day. Also, questioning Ball's personality is hilarious considering who Houston has at the five.

Sengun?

I like FVV better than Ball...for a good team.

Value is good for HOU, but I wouldn't do it....assuming they would, they're sure not going to pay FVV (even on a reduced salary to back up Ball).

Sheppard is nowhere near ready...I'd want FVV back if I'm CHA and try to get a reasonable but not too long extension. He'll be just the kind of guy to help CHA's young, exciting wings develop.

HOU sends: FVV, Reed Shepherd, #10
CHA sends: Lamelo, Nurkic (to salary match and takes Adams' expiring backup slot for a year), #33

...if CHA is okay tanking while Reed gets his feet under him, ORL would love FVV:

HOU sends: FVV, Reed, #10
HOU gets: Lamelo
Why: HOU gets a truly dynamic young offensive machine to grow with their ready to contend young squad

CHA sends: Lamelo
CHA gets: Reed, Wendell Carter, KCP, Cole Anthony(expiring), #10, #25
Why: CHA gets a solid pick, an exciting guard prospect, a young versatile 4/5 that can play with or behind Williams and a rock-solid 3&D SG to mentor and be a coach on the floor. TarHeel Cole could actually start at PG until Reed is ready, but, regardless, he has a TO if CHA decides to go another direction. Cole is possibly the best personality in the NBA and always supportive of young teammates in ORL. Decent players who fit but are necessary for salary matching. I think OP makes CHA a little TOO young - this version provides some vet mentors who can play and maybe stick longer term.

ORL sends: KCP, Wendell Carter, Cole Anthony, #25 (from DEN)
ORL gets: FVV
ORL consolidates 3 decent role-players who, admittedly, aren't great fits in ORL for an expiring vet leader to organize their offense. FVV has only one more highly-compensated season under team control, so ORL would want to discuss extension -maybe even prior to trade.

Only a fool would trade LaMelo. I hope we are not doing it.

Irresponsible if you don't give a number one option a prolific playmaker like LaMelo Ball for the duration of Flagg's rookie contract. No reason to stick him with a PG who has just begun developing, and not very quickly either.

It's a **** burger, to be frank.

Should Hornets land Flagg, the odd man out is Josh Green.

The starting 5 would definitely be:

LaMelo
Miller
Miles
Flagg
M. Williams

I doubt Charlotte trades Ball.
If nothing else, he sells tickets.
And he isn’t a Udoka type player.
So, I think both sides would have little interest in a Ball trade.