LaMelo Ball Thread

[Thaddy]

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.

The local reports always say this for any player. They don't want their fans to have mental breakdowns at games. Giannis is definitely on his way out and look what's being said there.

[Diop]

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.

He did directly say that he doesn’t want to leave town and doesn’t know where that report come from. As it was only 1 source for that “report”

[Diop]

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.

This has been my take, his game looks deceivingly careless with his odd style, but he definitely wants to win. He needs a period of good health to prove that though.

[yosemiteben]

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.

The local reports always say this for any player. They don't want their fans to have mental breakdowns at games. Giannis is definitely on his way out and look what's being said there.

We've been inundated with reports about Giannis being unhappy with MIL's situation, meeting with management and ownership about how to address the issues with the team, etc.

Show me a single credible report with Melo saying anything but positive stuff about CLT, either the team or the city. It's just that one random report that was instantly discredited by Melo himself and then by a bunch of other insider types (Zach Lowe for example).

[guldakot]

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.

This has been my take, his game looks deceivingly careless with his odd style, but he definitely wants to win. He needs a period of good health to prove that though.

Then you see him take repeated stupid long 3's and make careless passes and realize its an illusion. He needs to put on 25 lbs in the gym as well, he gets pushed around like hes trae even though hes 6'7ish.

[enzino]

he's still young, Celtics should try to trade for him. D.White was a poor shooter with the Spurs, LaMelo could improve his game as a celtic

[nykballa2k4]

he's still young, Celtics should try to trade for him. D.White was a poor shooter with the Spurs, LaMelo could improve his game as a celtic

With what money? VERY expensive and even if he is very good on offense, he will always be terrible on defense. I was assured by Celtics fans that players who are subpar on defense "will never see the court"

[Diop]

he's still young, Celtics should try to trade for him. D.White was a poor shooter with the Spurs, LaMelo could improve his game as a celtic

I believe if he stays healthy and is in the right system, Lamelo will be an all nba team. He is that skilled. The last time Charlotte had a winning record was when Lamelo managed 75 games.

He is a positive for the team if he can stay healthy.
Unfortunately it’s a huge if

[NYG]

Tyler Herro and Simone Fontecchio for LaMelo Ball?

[enzino]

LaMelo for Pritchard and A. Simons

[HornetJail]

I can't see anything happening till 2027 at the earliest, even if there is motivation to get a deal done. Currently there is not, from either side.

The best course of action at this point of time, is game planning around Melo being one of the options, rather than the sole face of the offense, like our last two regimes have erroneously attempted to do. A lot of the wear and tear on Melo is likely stemming from the insane amount of juking and starting and stopping Melo does to create his own shots, and he's had to do that A LOT over the last few seasons. That's been limited this season, partially due to him struggling with his own shot and partially due to the overall team having more assist targets and scoring threats than the last couple years. And I hope it continues whether or not Melo regains his shooting.

I love having 4 guys averaging 18-20ppg and another at 15. It's the way you get the most out of an offense with Melo, not feeding him 25 FGA a game like we did for the first half of last season, and it's the way our only >.500 team of the last decade played.

There shouldn't be a push to move him just because we have other options. The push should be "demoting" (if you can even call it that) from asking him to take on prime Harden usage rates to just being a regular #1 option or a #2. I think it's the only way to keep him on the floor.

[mlloyd10]

Melo for Zion does work

[JMAC3]

LaMelo Ball is the 38th highest paid player this year.
EPM has him as the 36th best player in the league.

Imagine Jamal Murray as the best player on Charlotte (16th highest paid player in league), are they winning things? Probably not. Doesn't mean he is a bad player?

The worst players in the league are the ones who are miscast. You put LaMelo on a team where he is your third option on a good team and everyone would love him, but if he has to carry one of the least talented teams in the league of course he gets labeled a losing player.

[EmpireFalls]

Melo for Zion does work

I think both teams lose that trade tbh

[JMAC3]

LaMelo Ball is the 38th highest paid player this year.
EPM has him as the 36th best player in the league.

Imagine Jamal Murray as the best player on Charlotte (16th highest paid player in league), are they winning things? Probably not. Doesn't mean he is a bad player?

The worst players in the league are the ones who are miscast. You put LaMelo on a team where he is your third option on a good team and everyone would love him, but if he has to carry one of the least talented teams in the league of course he gets labeled a losing player.

Derrick White in San Antonio was just a guy, put him on a good team and people think he is an allstar and top 50 player in the league. Imagine Derrick White on Charlotte and telling him we need 25+ and 10 assists every night and lead the team in shot attempts while missing the playoffs for 5 years, wonder if his value goes down in the league.

Same with Trae Young, if he lands on a good team as a teams 2nd or 3rd option narrative around him will change. Put Trae Young on a team with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, I bet the Celtics are a winning team over what he has produced in Atlanta the last 5 years.

Just like it would if Jamal Murray, Austin Reaves or Darius Garland were playing for the Nets as a first option.

People really struggle with figuring these things out.

[Rich4114]

The perception of LaMelo to people who don't follow or watch Charlotte is remarkable to me. It's not even worth the argument anymore. Also hell no to any of these trades. Giving up an all-star caliber playmaking point guard who can also score himself for "winning" players like RJ Barrett and IQ LOL

No thank you.

[JMAC3]

LaMelo Ball vs Immanuel Quickley isn't even a convo.

Per 75 possessions.
LaMelo averages 25.1 pts, plus 25.6 pts from assists. So he accounts for 50.7 points per game.

Coby White averages 24.1 pts, plus 14.7 pts from assists. So he accounts for 38.8 points per game.
Quickley averages 18.3 pts 17.1 pts from assists. So he accounts for 35.4 points per game.
Pritchard averages 19.3 pts and 14.5 pts from assists. So he accounts for 33.8 points per game.

Luka averages 33.4 pts, 19.9 pts from assists. Accounts for 53.3 pts per game.
Shai averages 34 pts, 17.5 pts from assists. Accounts for 51.5 pts per game.
Brunson averages 30.4 pts, 16.8 pts from assists. Accounts for 47.2 pts per game.

LaMelo is a true offensive engine, who makes the game easier for his teammates.
LaMelo's teammates shoot 80% efg%
5.9 rim assists per game.
LaMelo 21.4 potential assists per game.

Luka teammates shoot 71.5% efg
4.8 rim ast per game
18.6 potential assists per game.

Shai teammates shoot 63.5 efg%
2.4 rim assists per game.
18.4 potential assists per game.

Brunson teammates shoot 66.5 efg%
3.4 rim assists per game.
16.8 potential assists per game.

[shrink]

Giving up an all-star caliber playmaking point guard who can also score himself for "winning" players like RJ Barrett and IQ LOL

No thank you.

If that’s your criteria, you must LOVE Julius Randle then!

He has actually BEEN to 3 All Star Games (2 All NBA too), he has more assists than LaMelo, and has scored more points than LaMelo (often scoring for himself) .. and he’s cheaper! Plus Randle has shown out last year in two play off series.

I am not sure why any MIN fans keep thinking trades of “Randle plus” are a good idea for LaMelo Ball.

[JMAC3]

LaMelo Ball vs Immanuel Quickley isn't even a convo.

Per 75 possessions.
LaMelo averages 25.1 pts, plus 25.6 pts from assists. So he accounts for 50.7 points per game.

Coby White averages 24.1 pts, plus 14.7 pts from assists. So he accounts for 38.8 points per game.
Quickley averages 18.3 pts 17.1 pts from assists. So he accounts for 35.4 points per game.
Pritchard averages 19.3 pts and 14.5 pts from assists. So he accounts for 33.8 points per game.

Luka averages 33.4 pts, 19.9 pts from assists. Accounts for 53.3 pts per game.
Shai averages 34 pts, 17.5 pts from assists. Accounts for 51.5 pts per game.
Brunson averages 30.4 pts, 16.8 pts from assists. Accounts for 47.2 pts per game.

LaMelo is a true offensive engine, who makes the game easier for his teammates.
LaMelo's teammates shoot 80% efg%
5.9 rim assists per game.
LaMelo 21.4 potential assists per game.

Luka teammates shoot 71.5% efg
4.8 rim ast per game
18.6 potential assists per game.

Shai teammates shoot 63.5 efg%
2.4 rim assists per game.
18.4 potential assists per game.

Brunson teammates shoot 66.5 efg%
3.4 rim assists per game.
16.8 potential assists per game.

Only Jokic and Cade are getting more rim assists per game.
LaMelo is very very good when he plays.

Now factor in LaMelo current big men are Ryan Kalkbrenner, Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee.

[wolves_89]

While the idea of LaMelo to Minnesota is a little intriguing, the reality is there isn't a deal that makes sense. To match salary the Wolves would have to give up Randle (since Edwards, Gobert, and McDaniels are clearly off the table) and that is likely to make the team worse. Add in Ball's health concerns (in his career to date LaMelo has missed over 40% of the Hornets games and has yet to play in a playoff game), and the risk/reward of a deal is heavily slanted against considering a trade.