Report: LaMelo Wants Out

[KungPoweChicken]

I'd trade White and Hauser for him. Solid roster with financial flexibility.

Ball
Brown
Walsh
Tatum
Queta

Pritchard
Gonzalez
Minott
Garza

[keevsnick]

LaMelo is a tough one. He's young, and quite skilled, but I just don't think he's the right fit for the Celtics. Give they already have two primary ball handlers in Tatum/Brown I'd rather fill out the roster with strong defensive role players rather than use resources on a guy who also needs the ball.

[slamtheking]

I'd trade White and Hauser for him. Solid roster with financial flexibility.

Ball
Brown
Walsh
Tatum
Queta

Pritchard
Gonzalez
Minott
Garza

White's arguably better than Ball so I wouldn't trade him alone, never mind adding Hauser

[Goldstar88]

LaMelo Ball dismissed a Yahoo! report that emerged Thursday indicating Ball is unhappy with the Hornets and open to being traded elsewhere. It didn?t come from me, Ball said. The source wasn?t me, so it?s false info. Got to let them know. I really don?t like commenting on stuff, but it got too big. He added: I love being here.

[KungPoweChicken]

I'd trade White and Hauser for him. Solid roster with financial flexibility.

Ball
Brown
Walsh
Tatum
Queta

Pritchard
Gonzalez
Minott
Garza

White's arguably better than Ball so I wouldn't trade him alone, never mind adding Hauser

Derrick White: TS%: .481, USG%: 23.3, TOV per 100: 2.1, VORP: 0.6, Point per 100: 24.2,    DRtg: 112
Lamelo Ball:     TS%:.514,  USG%: 32.5, TOV per 100: 5.6, VORP: 0.2, points per 100: 33.1, DRtg: 118

They are both having down years. LaMelo is 7 years younger than White. This is more so a trade about getting younger and gaining financial flexibility than it is "win now."

[slamtheking]

I'd trade White and Hauser for him. Solid roster with financial flexibility.

Ball
Brown
Walsh
Tatum
Queta

Pritchard
Gonzalez
Minott
Garza

White's arguably better than Ball so I wouldn't trade him alone, never mind adding Hauser

Derrick White: TS%: .481, USG%: 23.3, TOV per 100: 2.1, VORP: 0.6, Point per 100: 24.2,    DRtg: 112
Lamelo Ball:     TS%:.514,  USG%: 32.5, TOV per 100: 5.6, VORP: 0.2, points per 100: 33.1, DRtg: 118

They are both having down years. LaMelo is 7 years younger than White. This is more so a trade about getting younger and gaining financial flexibility than it is "win now."

the difference in defensive effort and skill is significant.  also, say Ball does live up to your hopes/expectations he's going to want to get paid - a lot.  kiss that desired financial flexibility good bye

[Vermont Green]

I just looked at Ball's stats and I didn't realize how few games he has played the last several seasons. 

2022-23   36 games
2023-24   22 games
2024-25   47 games

Only 9 of 15 games so far this season.  I don't think this is what this team needs right now.  We need steady, predictable, reliable players, not so much for this season, but for 2026-27 and beyond.

[Moranis]

I just looked at Ball's stats and I didn't realize how few games he has played the last several seasons. 

2022-23   36 games
2023-24   22 games
2024-25   47 games

Only 9 of 15 games so far this season.  I don't think this is what this team needs right now.  We need steady, predictable, reliable players, not so much for this season, but for 2026-27 and beyond.

yeah that had always been his biggest issue. He just can't stay healthy. He is an immense talent though.

[trickybilly]

Another Kyrie situation. No way.

Fun player though..

[johnnygreen]

As good as LaMelo is, I think the front court is the pressing issue. We knew losing Al was going to be an issue, but Brad didn't come close to fulling that void.

[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.

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.

Lamelo has played PG at every level. High school, overseas and in the NBA. He has very good ball handling skills. What does defense have to do with being a PG?