Report: LaMelo Wants Out

[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.

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.

swaps are not losses of 1st rounders

[Who]

I see some Hornets fans talking about keeping LaMelo and hoping to land one of those top 3 picks this summer. Look at the roster they would have then:

G: LaMelo
G: Knueppel
F: B Miller
F: Cam Boozer / AJ Dybantsa
C: Kalkbrenner

or

G: LaMelo
G: Darryn Peterson
F: Knueppel
F: B Miller
C: Kalkbrenner

[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.

swaps are not losses of 1st rounders

technically you still have the pick but you lose control of it.  if the trade works out better for the other team, they take your pick which is hurting the team's ability to get a better player in the draft.  Very possible that situation comes back to bite us from the White trade with SA.

[slamtheking]

I see some Hornets fans talking about keeping LaMelo and hoping to land one of those top 3 picks this summer. Look at the roster they would have then:

G: LaMelo
G: Knueppel
F: B Miller
F: Cam Boozer / AJ Dybantsa
C: Kalkbrenner

or

G: LaMelo
G: Darryn Peterson
F: Knueppel
F: B Miller
C: Kalkbrenner

the supposition is that Ball and Miller can actually get on the court.  Charlotte may seriously want to look into moving on from their injury-plagued players and start rebuilding (again) with players that can stay on the court. 

[Donoghus]

I don't like this kid's attitude at all.  Nevermind the injury concerns on top of it.

Keep him the hell away from the Celtics.

[Csfan1984]

I like Zion and Melo trade idea. Of course picks need to be added but maybe it can work for both teams

[Celtics4ever]

I hope we do not make a move for him.   He is a very poor shooter, can't shoot from the field of the three.  He is shooting 29.8% from the three this year.   This is down from his career average of 36.2%  His field percentage is bad too at 38.5% this year against a career average of  42.0% .  He has some shooting touch as he is shooting 86.7% from the line.   He is not a good defender with at current defensive rating is approximately
118.1.

I would not pursue him as a player or trade Simons for him.  Simons is a better shooter.  Both are 118 def rating guys.

[Moranis]

I hope we do not make a move for him.   He is a very poor shooter, can't shoot from the field of the three.  He is shooting 29.8% from the three this year.   This is down from his career average of 36.2%  His field percentage is bad too at 38.5% this year against a career average of  42.0% .  He has some shooting touch as he is shooting 86.7% from the line.   He is not a good defender with at current defensive rating is approximately
118.1.

I would not pursue him as a player or trade Simons for him.  Simons is a better shooter.  Both are 118 def rating guys.

this is a weird conclusion to draw.  I mean. Jordan Walsh is a better shooter and has a better drtg.  Would you not trade Jordan Walsh for LaMelo either?

[wdleehi]

Don't want to add LaMelo but hopefully Boston can get into the trade to upgrade the big depth.

[Birdman]

No,,, dude never healthy & would want top dollar

[A Future of Stevens]

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.

It would either bring us to the promised land or sink the ship fully. If Lamelo doesn't buy into winning basketball, we are out of moves. If he tries on D, and uses his god tier passing to elevate everyone, we are back in business.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

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.

It would either bring us to the promised land or sink the ship fully. If Lamelo doesn't buy into winning basketball, we are out of moves. If he tries on D, and uses his god tier passing to elevate everyone, we are back in business.

He's a special talent. I've long thought that having a high level passer next to Tatum and Brown would elevate their scoring efficiency tremendously. It seemed like they always had scoring guards next to them (Thomas, Walker, Irving), but have never had a guy that can get them really easy looks.

I thought Lonzo could have been that guy this off-season, but Lamelo is a better offensive player with untapped defensive potential.

You aren't just getting an all-star guard with a trade like this. You are also getting a more efficient Brown and Tatum, which is scary.

[SparzWizard]

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.

It would either bring us to the promised land or sink the ship fully. If Lamelo doesn't buy into winning basketball, we are out of moves. If he tries on D, and uses his god tier passing to elevate everyone, we are back in business.

He's a special talent. I've long thought that having a high level passer next to Tatum and Brown would elevate their scoring efficiency tremendously. It seemed like they always had scoring guards next to them (Thomas, Walker, Irving), but have never had a guy that can get them really easy looks.

I thought Lonzo could have been that guy this off-season, but Lamelo is a better offensive player with untapped defensive potential.

You aren't just getting an all-star guard with a trade like this. You are also getting a more efficient Brown and Tatum, which is scary.

Should be a no-brainer move then, give em what they want but something reasonable. Maybe that above package but just 1 first.

[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.

It would either bring us to the promised land or sink the ship fully. If Lamelo doesn't buy into winning basketball, we are out of moves. If he tries on D, and uses his god tier passing to elevate everyone, we are back in business.

He's a special talent. I've long thought that having a high level passer next to Tatum and Brown would elevate their scoring efficiency tremendously. It seemed like they always had scoring guards next to them (Thomas, Walker, Irving), but have never had a guy that can get them really easy looks.

I thought Lonzo could have been that guy this off-season, but Lamelo is a better offensive player with untapped defensive potential.

You aren't just getting an all-star guard with a trade like this. You are also getting a more efficient Brown and Tatum, which is scary.

untapped defensive potential  = lazy defender.   no thanks.   and he's not better than Tatum or Brown.  no way.  better passer for sure but overall offense, not close to them.

[Celtics4ever]

Don't want to add LaMelo but hopefully Boston can get into the trade to upgrade the big depth.

I don't think any one would mind that.