Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has outlined a hypothetical three-team trade that would dramatically reshape the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets rosters.
Trade framework
Mavericks receive: LaMelo Ball
Lakers receive: Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford
Hornets receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick from the Lakers via Dallas
Swartz wrote that Ball’s tenure in Charlotte “is slowly coming to an end” and suggested Dallas is eager to add a lead ball-handler to play alongside Cooper Flagg. According to the proposal, the Mavericks would acquire Ball, who is averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game and is reportedly open to a new start—something he has publicly denied.
Los Angeles would bring in Thompson and Gafford, reuniting what Swartz called “a pair of Luka Dončić’s former teammates.” The Lakers, currently 15-4, nearly landed Thompson before the veteran guard chose Dallas last offseason, Swartz noted.
Charlotte would take back Hachimura’s expiring contract, plus three young players and a future first-round pick to bolster its rebuild. Hachimura is averaging 14.8 points on 54.5 percent shooting overall and 46.1 percent from three-point range for the Lakers.
Despite the eye-catching names, Swartz acknowledged the trade is unlikely to gain league approval, but he added that such proposals remain popular discussion points among fans.
Source: Hoops Wire
