NBA trade scenarios place LaMelo Ball with Blazers, Clippers, Heat and Mavericks
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Bleacher Report columnist Andy Bailey outlined four hypothetical trade packages that could relocate Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball to new teams, should the franchise ever decide to move its 22-year-old All-Star.
Suggested destinations and packages
Portland Trail Blazers: Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson and the Magic’s 2028 first-round pick to Charlotte for Ball.
Los Angeles Clippers: John Collins, Derrick Jones Jr., Cam Christie and a top-five protected 2032 first-round pick for Ball.
Miami Heat: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick for Ball. Bailey added that Miami could build alternate offers around Tyler Herro or Terry Rozier, which would change the draft assets involved.
Dallas Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Grant Williams, Liam McNeeley, a top-five protected 2028 first-round pick and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick to Charlotte in exchange for Ball.
Background on Ball’s status
The trade ideas surfaced after Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported that Ball might be open to leaving Charlotte. Ball publicly pushed back, saying he is happy with the Hornets and hopes to remain with the team.
Selected third overall in the 2020 draft, Ball captured Rookie of the Year honors and earned an All-Star berth in 2022. Charlotte is 100–140 in his appearances, and it has not produced a winning season since 2021-22.
This season, limited to 10 games by injury, Ball is averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists while shooting 38 percent from the field. He signed a five-year, $203 million extension in 2023 and is earning $37.9 million in 2023-24. The deal does not include a no-trade clause.
Ball, a California native, owns career averages of 21.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists for Charlotte.
Source: Hoops Wire
