LaMelo Ball Thread

[NYG]

Looking over a few rosters and seeing the biggest non-Giannis names that could be traded, LaMelo Ball appears to be one of the more logical to be traded.

Which teams would be interested?

What would they offer?

[One_and_Done]

He's conceptually alot like White Chocolate. Exciting and sells tickets, but you're better off with "boring" Mike Bibby.

The Hornets need to make a trade that has passable optics though, which is tricky because teams have clued in to his flaws. Dude sells alot of tickets, so find another teams flawed player like Trae and swap maybe? That should be sellable.

[LarsV8]

Im sure a number of teams would gamble on him, but hard to see anyone giving much value.

[NYG]

Would Miami make sense?

[babyjax13]

Toronto? Quickley + Barrett as the foundation?

[Wolveswin]

I think Wolves should take a gamble…

To Pistons: Randle/DDV

To Hornets: Dillingham/Tobias (buyout?)/2026 Pistons 1st (with Wolves swap rights)

To Wolves: Ball/Holland/Diabate

[MoneyTalks41890]

He’s so talented as a passer but so deeply unserious as a player.

I can’t see Miami for example wanting him.

Minny would be a good team to gamble on him.

[Texas Chuck]

I don't think any team that wants to win would touch him. Talent is there, but Money puts it perfectly -- he's just unserious. Dad spent his whole life convincing him he was a superstar and an icon and a brand and despite failure after failure as all three, he's not moved past it like his brother seemed to be doing before injuries destroyed him. Which is another problem with this brother too.

I have him as negative value, but not just negative value, just a player no serious franchise wants. I think once this contract is done, he will get one chance as maybe a backup to see if the right culture can get him to play winning basketball but I expect him to end this contract in Charlotte unless he eventually gets traded as an expiring where the team getting him doesn't want him as much as they want off some of their own contracts.

I hate to sound all One and Done Red Bull hot takey here, but I don't believe I am. He's just not a player you should want.

[SNPA]

Some team might talk themselves into the change of scenery concept. He’s the modern Webber in this theory. If that theory hit…he’d be damn good. But it’s a theory that requires him to grow up so…

[oldncreaky]

Toronto? Quickley + Barrett as the foundation?

Good god no

[tmorgan]

I think Wolves should take a gamble…

To Pistons: Randle/DDV

To Hornets: Dillingham/Tobias (buyout?)/2026 Pistons 1st (with Wolves swap rights)

To Wolves: Ball/Holland/Diabate

You can’t expect the Hornets to seriously consider taking a questionable prospect, a buyout candidate, and a bottom third of the round first for Ball (and Diabate). I’m not at all sure he’s worth more than that, but that doesn’t mean Charlotte would take it.

As for Detroit, as much as I don’t want to deal Holland, this should be considered. Would prefer it with Ivey and another asset, though (lotto protected 28?). DDV is much more of an Ivey replacement than a Holland replacement. We’ve still got the best side of this deal in terms of risk and improvement, so the extra first is fine. Might need to divert value to Charlotte somehow.

[TWiseJr]

No disrespect to anyone who has posted, but I think if you have seen more than three or four full games with LaMelo playing, you would realize he has fun but still very much cares about the game. This month, he is averaging 20 points and 9 assists with 45% from 3 on nearly 9 attempts a game. He hasn’t had the supporting cast, and he has been hurt a lot, but he very much cares. He is not the type of player to carry a franchise by himself, but if Kon and Brandon Miller can stay healthy, this team will win more games than most people expect.

[doogie_hauser]

OKC or Houston are intruguing dark horse destinations for LaMelo.

San Antonio's guard/wingman depth is outrageously good right now.

[Thaddy]

Toronto? Quickley + Barrett as the foundation?

Good god no

I wouldn't want this from Toronto's side. I have RJ as a more winning player.

RJ can be a dominant offensive option within an offense and he doesn't put up bad shots. The defense is just entirely better too.

Melo hasn't been on a winning team before, his attitude, play style and skills are reasons for that.

[Thaddy]

No disrespect to anyone who has posted, but I think if you have seen more than three or four full games with LaMelo playing, you would realize he has fun but still very much cares about the game. This month, he is averaging 20 points and 9 assists with 45% from 3 on nearly 9 attempts a game. He hasn’t had the supporting cast, and he has been hurt a lot, but he very much cares. He is not the type of player to carry a franchise by himself, but if Kon and Brandon Miller can stay healthy, this team will win more games than most people expect.

He's playing with two other top 5 picks while being a top 5 pick himself. That's plenty of help?

[GoBobs]

No disrespect to anyone who has posted, but I think if you have seen more than three or four full games with LaMelo playing, you would realize he has fun but still very much cares about the game. This month, he is averaging 20 points and 9 assists with 45% from 3 on nearly 9 attempts a game. He hasn’t had the supporting cast, and he has been hurt a lot, but he very much cares. He is not the type of player to carry a franchise by himself, but if Kon and Brandon Miller can stay healthy, this team will win more games than most people expect.

He's playing with two other top 5 picks while being a top 5 pick himself. That's plenty of help?

The last few years the team has been seller at every trade deadline. PJ Washington, Terry Rozier, Nick Richards, and Mark Williams have all been moved for picks in the LaMelo era. That is why we have 4 extra first round picks in the next 4 years.

LaMelo is playing with two other top 5 picks yeah, but those guys are 24, 23 and 20 years old.

LaMelo is young, locked up on a long deal, never said he wants to leave town, and playing very well right now. The idea that he needs to be traded is an outsider perspective.

[Thaddy]

No disrespect to anyone who has posted, but I think if you have seen more than three or four full games with LaMelo playing, you would realize he has fun but still very much cares about the game. This month, he is averaging 20 points and 9 assists with 45% from 3 on nearly 9 attempts a game. He hasn’t had the supporting cast, and he has been hurt a lot, but he very much cares. He is not the type of player to carry a franchise by himself, but if Kon and Brandon Miller can stay healthy, this team will win more games than most people expect.

He's playing with two other top 5 picks while being a top 5 pick himself. That's plenty of help?

The last few years the team has been seller at every trade deadline. PJ Washington, Terry Rozier, Nick Richards, and Mark Williams have all been moved for picks in the LaMelo era. That is why we have 4 extra first round picks in the next 4 years.

LaMelo is playing with two other top 5 picks yeah, but those guys are 24, 23 and 20 years old.

LaMelo is young, locked up on a long deal, never said he wants to leave town, and playing very well right now. The idea that he needs to be traded is an outsider perspective.

he wants to leave town there were reports about it. He won't say it directly but its fairly obvious.

[drosestruts]

Zion and Dejaunte for LaMelo, Bridges, and Salaun

An entire trade of talented, oft-injured players, who haven't fully lived up to potential and who may benefit from a change of scenery

[yosemiteben]

He's playing with two other top 5 picks while being a top 5 pick himself. That's plenty of help?

The last few years the team has been seller at every trade deadline. PJ Washington, Terry Rozier, Nick Richards, and Mark Williams have all been moved for picks in the LaMelo era. That is why we have 4 extra first round picks in the next 4 years.

LaMelo is playing with two other top 5 picks yeah, but those guys are 24, 23 and 20 years old.

LaMelo is young, locked up on a long deal, never said he wants to leave town, and playing very well right now. The idea that he needs to be traded is an outsider perspective.

he wants to leave town there were reports about it. He won't say it directly but its fairly obvious.

Local reports are the complete opposite, there's no question that he enjoys being in Charlotte and wants to stay there.

[nate33]

I don't think any team that wants to win would touch him. Talent is there, but Money puts it perfectly -- he's just unserious. Dad spent his whole life convincing him he was a superstar and an icon and a brand and despite failure after failure as all three, he's not moved past it like his brother seemed to be doing before injuries destroyed him. Which is another problem with this brother too.

I have him as negative value, but not just negative value, just a player no serious franchise wants. I think once this contract is done, he will get one chance as maybe a backup to see if the right culture can get him to play winning basketball but I expect him to end this contract in Charlotte unless he eventually gets traded as an expiring where the team getting him doesn't want him as much as they want off some of their own contracts.

I hate to sound all One and Done Red Bull hot takey here, but I don't believe I am. He's just not a player you should want.

I agree with all of this.

Some team might be interested in gambling on him as a reclamation project, but NOBODY is going to give up anything of significant value for him because he is not a serious player and he is very injury prone.