Ball Boys to the Clippers

[clippertown]

LaVar keeps talking about the Clippers, and the idea of putting the Ball Boys on the team is in need of exploration.

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LAC IN = LaMelo + Lonzo + Dosunmu
LAC OUT = Norm + Dunn + Eubanks + Bogi + 2025 LAC #1 + LAC 2030 #1

CHA IN = Norm + Dunn + EuBanks + 2025 LAC #1 + 2030 Unprotected LAC #1
CHA OUT = LaMelo

CHI IN = Bogi
CHI Out = Lonzo + Dosunmu

Why for Charlotte - His dad controls things and the team is struggling. If Lonzo goes to LAC, then how long before the LaMelo trade demand process begins. A return of the under-rated Norm Powell and Kris Dunn are both reasonable value contracts that provide elite scoring for Norm and elite defense for Dunn. Eubanks is worth a flyer or can be waived. The unprotected picks should close the gap a bit also.

Why for Chicago - They don't really need Lonzo and it's doubtful he would be resigned. Bogi, on the other hand, is far more reliable and has a better value ratio. He also has far less injury baggage than Lonzo and is more likely to re-sign down the track.

Why for the Clippers - They get players that want to be with the team and that means something when building culture. Lamelo and Lonzo could really contribute if they can stay healthy (but that applies to the entire team it seems). LaMelo could be special in the right situation.

C = Zubac / Kobe
PF = Kawhi / Batum
SF = DJJ / Flowers / Dosunmu
SG = LaMelo / Miller / Cam
PG = Harden / Lonzo / Mills

[BlazersBroncos]

Not a big LaMelo guy but CHA can do much better IMO.

[Texas Chuck]

Both Ball teams are sacrificing value here. Ayo is being valued as a throw in here for some reason. I think Daddy Ball would have to be raising so much fuss to get Charlotte to do this and even then they might not.

I'd be all for getting out of the Melo business like this personally but Charlotte feels pretty dug in on him.

[clippertown]

Not a big LaMelo guy but CHA can do much better IMO.

No doubts LaMelo can get better value, but Norm averaged 22ppg as the #3 option and LaMelo averaged 25ppg as the #1 option. Also, as good as LaMelo is on defense, he does not reach the peaks that Kris Dunn can sustain. Norm was a runner up for the All Stars and Dunn was a runner up for NBA All Defense this season. Plus, a 2030 pick that will happen after Kawhi retires could be valuable - I get the value is light, but it's not miles off.

Also, what is LaMelo's value if he insists on playing for the Clippers at the end of this current deal? Why would other teams pay more for what could be a medium-term rental? LaVar gets what he wants most of the time and could easily make demands, especially if Lonzo is acquired by LAC soon.

[Texas Chuck]

LaVar gets what he wants except the other LA team traded one son to New Orleans and the other has been in Charlotte. Yeah he's just a puppet master pulling strings....

[babyjax13]

Not a big LaMelo guy but CHA can do much better IMO.

No doubts LaMelo can get better value, but Norm averaged 22ppg as the #3 option and LaMelo averaged 25ppg as the #1 option. Also, as good as LaMelo is on defense, he does not reach the peaks that Kris Dunn can sustain. Norm was a runner up for the All Stars and Dunn was a runner up for NBA All Defense this season. Plus, a 2030 pick that will happen after Kawhi retires could be valuable - I get the value is light, but it's not miles off.

Also, what is LaMelo's value if he insists on playing for the Clippers at the end of this current deal? Why would other teams pay more for what could be a medium-term rental? LaVar gets what he wants most of the time and could easily make demands, especially if Lonzo is acquired by LAC soon.

Norm is a 32 year old player who doesn't offer a ton beyond scoring. I think there are ways for LAC to scrape together value (it would be complicated and would likely involve trading Zubac for picks, Norm for a pick, flipping players for bad salary and picks, + including their own picks they have available) but in the end it is probably too complex and not worth it for either team. Is Ball/Harden/Kawhi + mostly minimum players going anywhere? Does Charlotte want to reset their team again?

[HornetJail]

Ever since that noise has been happening, i've been trying to find any way possible the Clippers could gather enough assets to make a semi-interesting offer, and I haven't found it. A package centered around Norman Powell is quite simply put, not it.

Also lol, the Clippers pick this year is #30

[ChettheJet]

a romantic concept of brotherly devotion

The Bulls would rather keep both and have their guard glut than think a 33 year old SF even for one year is any part of their plan,

[nykballa2k4]

Welp, these offers are horrendous.

Kings easily out-bid this package. hey at least it's Cali!

[clippertown]

LaVar gets what he wants except the other LA team traded one son to New Orleans and the other has been in Charlotte. Yeah he's just a puppet master pulling strings....

I meant that LaVar gets what he wants within his own family structure. Did not mean to indicate he was a deity that controls basketball franchises.

As for LaMelo, he was drafted by the Hornets and was restricted in his last deal. Not so in his next one.

As for Lonzo, he was traded for a peaking Anthony Davis. Any GM would have made that trade, regardless of any specific parents ire.

LaVar wants his kids in LA and when both expire, you can bet LAC gets serious consideration, even if they can't spend the most. Gonna be hard for other teams to make a huge bid for a player they might not be able to re-sign due to circumstances out of their control.

[meekrab]

If mid players and mid picks is all it takes for LaMelo the Bulls would probably cut LAC out with a S&T Giddey and picks. LaVar has to deal with some cold weather to watch his kids Ball together but he can suck it up.

[Dez]

So why does Chicago do this?

[axeman23]

The OP deal is a Lonzo+Dos return, not close to Lamelo...

[mg]

Eh I think Clips will have to wait a few years. Lamelo can become an UFA in '29 although he could probably start requesting his way out of Charlotte by '28. Maybe the Clips can save up a few tradable assets in their warchest by that time. Lonzo is an unrestricted FA in '27 although should be easier to acquire before that point.

[SlimShady83]

Lols this would be entertaining at least

[clippertown]

I get that LaMelo and Lonzo have more value than the Clippers currently possess, so why is LaVar making these messages publicly?

If all he wanted was the $$$, then why even suggest the Clippers who can't afford the max for either of them. Seems very odd.

Fortunately, LaVar is well recognized as a stand in the back and stay out of the way kind of guy, so no smoke here.

[Dez]

I get that LaMelo and Lonzo have more value than the Clippers currently possess, so why is LaVar making these messages publicly?

If all he wanted was the $$$, then why even suggest the Clippers who can't afford the max for either of them. Seems very odd.

Fortunately, LaVar is well recognized as a stand in the back and stay out of the way kind of guy, so no smoke here.

Because he's a clown? Pretty well established.

[penbeast0]

IF Chicago wants to move Lavar, Bojan and the 1st should do it or work out the necessary draft capital. Chicago has enough space not to send Ayo.

Charlotte is tougher. The key for the Hornets would be Zubac, that's what they need. As good as Powell was this year, he's not a centerpiece player, more a rotation shooter who can start but he's not a big difference maker. Ball put up flashy stats when he played. He's the Hornets main potential star. Not sure they'd do it even with Zubac included but they need a center and they already tried to trade Richards once so apparently they don't see him as part of their core. In any case, it's closer than the OP I think.

[clippertown]

IF Chicago wants to move Lavar, Bojan and the 1st should do it or work out the necessary draft capital. Chicago has enough space not to send Ayo.

Charlotte is tougher. The key for the Hornets would be Zubac, that's what they need. As good as Powell was this year, he's not a centerpiece player, more a rotation shooter who can start but he's not a big difference maker. Ball put up flashy stats when he played. He's the Hornets main potential star. Not sure they'd do it even with Zubac included but they need a center and they already tried to trade Richards once so apparently they don't see him as part of their core. In any case, it's closer than the OP I think.

Clips reportedly wont trade Zubac for Durant and he is notably better than LaMelo. Clippers have no specific desire to bring in either of the Ball boys. This is just an opportunistic move where a player (or in this case two players) want to play for a specific team, the Clippers in this scenario.

Clips will slow play this and only move if they get a relative bargain. If they make a play on either player, it will be for Lonzo. Once they get him, LaMelo will demand out, maybe in a couple of years. I think it's worth a flyer on Lonzo even though his health sucks. Bobi for Lonzo is a solid deal.

[penbeast0]

I don't see either Chicago or Charlotte wanting to move a weak current, higher upside player (as both Balls are to me), unless they get a premium. They are both bottom dwellers still trying to accumulate talent. Clippers are win now, I would guess this is a backwards premise but just the initial valuations seemed way off.