Report: LaMelo Wants Out

[slightly biased bias fan]

LaMelo Ball has grown frustrated in Charlotte and is open for a trade, per Kelly Iko (Yahoo Sports).

[Who]

Who the heck is LaMelo to want out!?

He has only played in 60% of their games this season. He has only played in 105 games in the past 3 seasons combined. His inability to stay on the court is the biggest reason for how bad they are. His unwillingness to play fundamental team ball is the 2nd biggest reason for their struggles. Sort your own backyard first. Then complain about what the team is or isn't doing.

[Who]

There are some fun trade ideas out there

(1) LaMelo for Ja Morant. PG for PG. Fresh starts for guys who need fresh starts.

(2) LaMelo for D Sabonis. Charlotte get the starting center they desire. SAC gets a new piece to build a new era around.

(3) LaMelo for Zion. Zion is a Dukie. A true PF which Charlotte have not had in many years. LaMelo as the present day version of Pete Maravich to save basketball in New Orleans.

(4) LaMelo for Anthony Davis. A starting backcourt of Kyrie & LaMelo alongside Cooper Flagg at forward. Still have D Lively and D Gafford at center. Forwards in PJ Washington & Naji Marshall. That could be a fun team. Charlotte get a veteran two way big man to start at center.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Simons, Hauser, 2 firsts, and 2 swaps

[slamtheking]

Simons, Hauser, 2 firsts, and 2 swaps

gross overpay

[slamtheking]

There are some fun trade ideas out there

(1) LaMelo for Ja Morant. PG for PG. Fresh starts for guys who need fresh starts.

(2) LaMelo for D Sabonis. Charlotte get the starting center they desire. SAC gets a new piece to build a new era around.

(3) LaMelo for Zion. Zion is a Dukie. A true PF which Charlotte have not had in many years. LaMelo as the present day version of Pete Maravich to save basketball in New Orleans.

(4) LaMelo for Anthony Davis. A starting backcourt of Kyrie & LaMelo alongside Cooper Flagg at forward. Still have D Lively and D Gafford at center. Forwards in PJ Washington & Naji Marshall. That could be a fun team. Charlotte get a veteran two way big man to start at center.

Charlotte would have to ship out a bunch of picks in each of those deals.  can't see why any of those proposed partners would take just Ball without a lot more going their way

[Moranis]

Who the heck is LaMelo to want out!?

He has only played in 60% of their games this season. He has only played in 105 games in the past 3 seasons combined. His inability to stay on the court is the biggest reason for how bad they are. His unwillingness to play fundamental team ball is the 2nd biggest reason for their struggles. Sort your own backyard first. Then complain about what the team is or isn't doing.

The Hornets are significantly better when Ball plays then when he doesn't. So his health is a major concern, but his ability doesn't seem to hold them back at all, it is in fact the opposite.  They need him to play simply because they are much better when he does.  Though much better just takes them from awful to bad.  They've done a pretty bad job putting talent around Ball.  The hope was Miller, but he is more injury prone than Ball. Knueppel looks solid, but he is also another 6'7" guy (Ball and Bridges both 6'7" and Miller is 6'9" but plays smaller).  No true PG on the roster.  Poor to mediocre at best big men for years.  The Hornets are just poorly managed.  I'd want out also.

[Moranis]

Simons, Hauser, 2 firsts, and 2 swaps

gross overpay

It is not.  If Boston could do that trade they should.  No question at all.  Ball would be great next to Tatum and Brown.  He'd fit well with White as well.  That is the sort of trade that could bring Boston back to contention in 26. 

[Goldstar88]

Who the heck is LaMelo to want out!?

He has only played in 60% of their games this season. He has only played in 105 games in the past 3 seasons combined. His inability to stay on the court is the biggest reason for how bad they are. His unwillingness to play fundamental team ball is the 2nd biggest reason for their struggles. Sort your own backyard first. Then complain about what the team is or isn't doing.

The Hornets are significantly better when Ball plays then when he doesn't. So his health is a major concern, but his ability doesn't seem to hold them back at all, it is in fact the opposite.  They need him to play simply because they are much better when he does.  Though much better just takes them from awful to bad.  They've done a pretty bad job putting talent around Ball.  The hope was Miller, but he is more injury prone than Ball. Knueppel looks solid, but he is also another 6'7" guy (Ball and Bridges both 6'7" and Miller is 6'9" but plays smaller).  No true PG on the roster.  Poor to mediocre at best big men for years.  The Hornets are just poorly managed.  I'd want out also.

How is Lamelo not a true PG? He runs their offense and averages 10ast per game.

[Phantom255x]

I actually wouldn't mind adding Lamelo, IF the plan is to also get a starting center somehow. It doesn't even have to be a superstar or expensive big, just a reasonable decent/solid starting center who can also allow Queta to flourish as a backup big. 

Lamelo
White
Jaylen
Tatum
Solid Center

Bench: 4 of Minott/Hugo/Queta/Walsh/Hauser/Pritchard

[Moranis]

Who the heck is LaMelo to want out!?

He has only played in 60% of their games this season. He has only played in 105 games in the past 3 seasons combined. His inability to stay on the court is the biggest reason for how bad they are. His unwillingness to play fundamental team ball is the 2nd biggest reason for their struggles. Sort your own backyard first. Then complain about what the team is or isn't doing.

The Hornets are significantly better when Ball plays then when he doesn't. So his health is a major concern, but his ability doesn't seem to hold them back at all, it is in fact the opposite.  They need him to play simply because they are much better when he does.  Though much better just takes them from awful to bad.  They've done a pretty bad job putting talent around Ball.  The hope was Miller, but he is more injury prone than Ball. Knueppel looks solid, but he is also another 6'7" guy (Ball and Bridges both 6'7" and Miller is 6'9" but plays smaller).  No true PG on the roster.  Poor to mediocre at best big men for years.  The Hornets are just poorly managed.  I'd want out also.

How is Lamelo not a true PG? He runs their offense and averages 10ast per game.

So does Luka.  So does Jokic.  Heck Lebron once led the league in apg.  None of those guys are true PG's either and neither is LaMelo.  He doesn't have the ball handling skills and he will never be able to defend the position because he isn't quick enough.  He is an excellent passer, but a true PG he is not.

[Moranis]

I actually wouldn't mind adding Lamelo, IF the plan is to also get a starting center somehow. It doesn't even have to be a superstar or expensive big, just a reasonable decent/solid starting center who can also allow Queta to flourish as a backup big. 

Lamelo
White
Jaylen
Tatum
Solid Center

Bench: 4 of Minott/Hugo/Queta/Walsh/Hauser/Pritchard

BOS - Ball, Landale
MEM - Hugo
CHA - Simons, Hauser, 26 1st, 28 1st, 27 swap, 29 swap

That seems like a reasonable trade for all 3 teams.  Landale isn't going to do much, but he can spread the floor, rebound, won't get in the way or make mistakes.  Be a solid 5th starter type player. Real downside is he is expiring and on a minimum so he'd have to be re-signed this summer to really help in the future.

[Phantom255x]

I actually wouldn't mind adding Lamelo, IF the plan is to also get a starting center somehow. It doesn't even have to be a superstar or expensive big, just a reasonable decent/solid starting center who can also allow Queta to flourish as a backup big. 

Lamelo
White
Jaylen
Tatum
Solid Center

Bench: 4 of Minott/Hugo/Queta/Walsh/Hauser/Pritchard

BOS - Ball, Landale
MEM - Hugo
CHA - Simons, Hauser, 26 1st, 28 1st, 27 swap, 29 swap

That seems like a reasonable trade for all 3 teams.  Landale isn't going to do much, but he can spread the floor, rebound, won't get in the way or make mistakes.  Be a solid 5th starter type player. Real downside is he is expiring and on a minimum so he'd have to be re-signed this summer to really help in the future.

I'm down.

Ultimately I think the Celtics pass on adding LaMelo anyways

That said I'm interested to see what his trade market even is. What teams would really covet him. Their best chance at trades is probably some sort of a lateral move or a move involving "change of scenery" for LaMelo and the other guy traded back to Charlotte, kind of like what @Who outlined above

[Ilikesports17]

Simons, Hauser, 2 firsts, and 2 swaps

gross overpay

It is not.  If Boston could do that trade they should.  No question at all.  Ball would be great next to Tatum and Brown.  He'd fit well with White as well.  That is the sort of trade that could bring Boston back to contention in 26.

2 firsts and 2 swaps is nutso imo

Ball has played 50, 75, 36, 22, and 47 games over his career. That slots him in right above Kawhi Leonard and below Anthony Davis and Kristaps Porzingis for the same time frame. Very close with Marcus Smart too. Funny enough his .544 TS mirrors Smart's .540 TS in that time frame as well.

He doesnt guard at all as well.

He has massive maturity questions off the court as well as on the court where he does not play "winning basketball"

I would do Simons + Hauser + Tillman. No shot Im giving up multiple firsts for a malcontent that cant stay on the floor and cares more about highlights and stats than winning when he does make it out there.

[slamtheking]

Simons, Hauser, 2 firsts, and 2 swaps

gross overpay

It is not.  If Boston could do that trade they should.  No question at all.  Ball would be great next to Tatum and Brown.  He'd fit well with White as well.  That is the sort of trade that could bring Boston back to contention in 26.

I don't disagree that Ball has the talent to make a big improvement to Boston but the key problem is he's rarely able to play.  I'm not shipping out that kind of package for a player who'll miss most of the games.   If it was a certainty he'd be healthy for years, I'd trade Simons and Hauser for him and maybe a pick and a swap.  no way I'd cough up the loss of 4 first rounders for any player that's not an MVP candidate -- and yes, swaps are the loss of control of a first rounder.