LaMelo Traded to Minnesota

SWedd523 · Post #41 » by **SWedd523** » Mon Mar 9, 2026 4:11 pm

fatlever wrote:

Read on Twitter

The ultimate "what if" in his game...

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Some chicken or egg involved here.

1. He definitely does NOT get the same whistle those other guys get

2. He has some probably justified concerns with injuries if he goes into the trees too much

3. He doesn't play above the rim

Post #42 » by **fatlever** » Mon Mar 9, 2026 4:30 pm

SWedd523 wrote:
fatlever wrote:

Read on Twitter

The ultimate "what if" in his game...

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

Some chicken or egg involved here.

1. He definitely does NOT get the same whistle those other guys get

2. He has some probably justified concerns with injuries if he goes into the trees too much

3. He doesn't play above the rim

Yes, agree on all 3
He's never really tried to add baiting for fouls to his game. Just not who he is or ever will be as a player.

Gets no whistle regardless

Very much plays with injury trauma on mind

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

Post #43 » by **JDR720** » Mon Mar 9, 2026 4:36 pm

I don't think there's a way for Melo to get more whistles without flopping. And I don't want him to flop because he'll probably hurt himself.

Walt Cronkite · Post #44 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Mon Mar 9, 2026 7:45 pm

Good points brought up in the last few posts. To add, I think LaMelo enjoyes making creative passes to his teammates and he gets to do that more this year. Assists per 36/100 possessions are both at career highs and he's got a team around him that plays to his strengths there. Bunch of capable shooters who are generally above average passers as well and two bigs that rebound and score efficiently from the dunker spot.

Tangentially, I think this was one of the factors in moving on from Mark. By design we wanted to have more guard/wing pick and pop action with a big p/r secondary action and he's too talented to not give more touches to than that. Also, he had injury issues. Also, he was due a paycheck. Also, the drama from the rescinded trade. I know it's a sore subject so I almost hate to mention it, but it was just too much for the FO to evaluate this season when they really needed to figure out whether building a team around LaMelo was worthwhile or not. There were more critical issues to choose a direction on and Mark was the odd man out.

Post #45 » by **fatlever** » Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:18 pm

Read on Twitter

?s=20

HornetJail · Post #46 » by **HornetJail** » Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:42 pm

currently 2nd all-time in 3-point attempts per possession... at 17.6 per 100 possessions, a fraction of a percentage point behind 2019 Harden. Means that if Melo's on the floor during an offensive possession, there's a better than 1-in-6 chance that Melo's getting a 3 up.

not exactly my favorite thing in the world, but he's been shooting them well most of the season (39.2% since coming back from injury on December 18th) so why not

tondi123 · Post #47 » by **tondi123** » Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:13 pm

When hes hitting his shots we are almost impossible to beat.

Hornet Mania · Post #48 » by **Hornet Mania** » Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:53 pm

One underrated aspect of the crazy threes is that it does set defenders up for a blow-by in future possessions, so he's finding ways to make it work for him. Guys fall for Melo pump fakes on the logo because they know he has no conscience.

Post #49 » by **fatlever** » Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:59 pm

Small outside chance he could end up 3rd team all NBA If a few more people drop out due to the 65 game rule and we finish the season strong and he keeps up this current form he's in.

Liver_Pooty · Post #50 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 2:04 am

His effort on defense has been top tier the last month

Hornet Mania · Post #51 » by **Hornet Mania** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 2:31 pm

Definitely should be a serious All-NBA candidate given how many people are not eligible. I expect he'll at minimum get an honorable mention from Zach Lowe based on his podcast comments.

Snidely FC · Post #52 » by **Snidely FC** » Fri Apr 3, 2026 12:35 pm

Not From Here

Watch on YouTube

wilson115 · Post #53 » by **wilson115** » Fri Apr 3, 2026 8:13 pm

Wow

Read on Twitter

GoBobs · Post #54 » by **GoBobs** » Sat Apr 4, 2026 12:17 am

Kon and LaMelo are going to finish the season #1 and #2 respectively in made 3pt shots.

wilson115 · Post #55 » by **wilson115** » Mon Apr 6, 2026 10:37 am

Please find a way to have Dell and Eric call Hornets games forever. Please.

Watch on YouTube

LofJ · Post #56 » by **LofJ** » Mon Apr 6, 2026 12:07 pm

Hornet Mania wrote:Definitely should be a serious All-NBA candidate given how many people are not eligible. I expect he'll at minimum get an honorable mention from Zach Lowe based on his podcast comments.

If the team wins out and secures the 6th seed it would be outrageous imo if LaMelo doesn't at least come close to getting 3rd team All-NBA.

EmpireFalls · Post #57 » by **EmpireFalls** » Mon Apr 6, 2026 2:09 pm

All-NBA him. You can’t find me 15 eligible players who impacted winning more this season.

JustBuzzin · Post #58 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon Apr 6, 2026 3:01 pm

EmpireFalls wrote:All-NBA him. You can’t find me 15 eligible players who impacted winning more this season.

I have a hard time believing a player who didn't even make the all-star team will somehow make all-nba. That would be a very bad look for the NBA.

Post #59 » by **yosemiteben** » Mon Apr 6, 2026 3:08 pm

JustBuzzin wrote:
EmpireFalls wrote:All-NBA him. You can’t find me 15 eligible players who impacted winning more this season.
I have a hard time believing a player who didn't even make the all-star team will somehow make all-nba. That would be a very bad look for the NBA.

It's happened a few times before

HornetJail · Post #60 » by **HornetJail** » Mon Apr 6, 2026 3:33 pm

yosemiteben wrote:
JustBuzzin wrote:
EmpireFalls wrote:All-NBA him. You can’t find me 15 eligible players who impacted winning more this season.
I have a hard time believing a player who didn't even make the all-star team will somehow make all-nba. That would be a very bad look for the NBA.

It's happened a few times before

Big Al did it. Very similar seasons in a lot of ways.

Took a team with atrocious records the previous couple years to the playoffs

Didn't make all-star because he started the season slow due to injury

Everything clicked up and down the roster for the second half of the season and we made a pretty big run from Jan-Apr

Big Al had a more impressive individual season and benefited a bit from lack of center depth in the NBA in 2014, which Melo won't get that same benefit.

But overall I think he should be an option at the 3rd team.