Top 3 LaMelo Ball Trade Destinations Amid Reported Frustration

The Charlotte Hornets they won a combined 67 games in the three previous seasons and haven’t made the NBA playoffs since 2016. Fans were cautiously optimistic that their team would see clear growth this year, but a 4-11 start to the campaign has them questioning whether this franchise will ever reach respectable status. If the endless grind wasn’t enough, the face of the Hornets is reportedly open for a trade. Will LaMelo Ball get going soon?

The 2022 All-Star responded to a Yahoo Sports article claiming he’s “increasingly frustrated with the organization” and could be looking for a way out, posting a clown emoji. Regardless of how Ball feels about staying in Charlotte, a deal should at least be considered as a possibility. The 24-year-old struggles to stay healthy and fails to lift the team when he is on the court. If Ball is even remotely unhappy, it might be wise to ship him now.

There are several desperate teams that would entertain the polarizing point guard. He’s clearly a gifted playmaker, averaging 9.6 assists in nine games this season, and he’s proven capable of knocking down threes in the past. If one wants to roll the dice, it might as well be for a young talent who scores more than 21 points per contest.

If Ball can minimize injuries and practice better shot selection, perhaps he could turn into an undisputed difference maker. If both sides ultimately agree that a fresh start is necessary, three teams stand out as logical trade destinations. Let’s get into it.

The Clippers and LaMelo Ball would be an interesting matchup

I used the word “desperate” to describe LaMelo Ball’s potential suitors, as no conventional championship contender would reasonably part with key wild-card assets. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft is shooting an abysmal 29.8 percent from 3-point range and is in the second year of a five-year, $200 million-plus contract extension. It will take a certain degree of urgency for an owner to welcome such a player.

Please enter Los Angeles Clippers. Steve Ballmer spent a fortune on constructing the Intuit Domebecause he intended to give this team his home. He does not, however, want to house a tasteless and declining crowd. Although his passion for Clips is well established, he is a businessman. With his aging squad languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference, he is at it again without Kawhi Leonardhe may find it wiser to finally start rebuilding.

Getting the ball can be the best way to blow everything up while still retaining some star power. The LA-based franchise is expected to exude excitement, and regardless of his current struggles, the former Rookie of the Year definitely checks that box. Ideally, that panache would also pack a lot of substance.

Ball can push the pace offensively, injecting new life into the “Lakers’ little brother.” Clippers fans will have to endure more hardship before things get better, but this union would give the organization a future to strive for. The Los Angeles title window appears to have closed. It’s time to shape a new identity.

The Grizzlies may need a new PG soon

Trade speculation has already been rampant in the NBA this season, amid a potentially strained relationship between the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant. Both the two-time All-Star and head coach Tuomas Iisalo say they’ve moved on from the tense exchange that happened on Halloween night, but the team is in freefall. Morant is nursing a strain of calvesand the Grizzlies have lost nine of their last 10 games. Panic is certainly setting in in the front office.

It could only be a matter of time before Memphis looks for a trade partner for No. 12 and ushers in a new era of Grizzlies basketball. However, much like the Clippers, this team may not be interested in a traditional rebuild. Jaren Jackson Jr. is still a two-way force, and a capable supporting cast can provide some stability if there are major shakeups. Throw in a dynamic point guard in Morant’s place and this team would quickly become interesting again.

Maybe Ball can serve that role. Another expensive and injury-prone player isn’t necessarily a good matchup on paper for Memphis, but he offers a compelling amount of upside. Ball’s passing skills could produce impressive results alongside Jackson, Zach Eddy and rookie Cedric Coward.

While not currently on Morant’s level, the 6-foot-7 native from California can provide the Grizzlies with a more balanced offense, which they will sorely miss. if they are forced to trade their franchise cornerstone.

While this city may want to get away from the chaos, Memphis right now knows an unpredictable player who can dazzle people with his abilities. We hope that the focus will remain on the field.

The Bucks may be racing against time

There are different degrees of desperation. The Milwaukee Bucks will almost certainly make the playoffs, something the aforementioned teams can’t do with much confidence. But they are still under pressure to compete for the championship. Any early exit from the postseason increases the likelihood that Giannis Antetokounmpo will finish in second place. There is no time to waste. If the Bucks brass want to maximize their title chances, they could always make some noise before the trade deadline.

Adding LaMelo Ball would give Milwaukee a true PG and another quality scorer for the Greek freak to share the floor going forward. While it might be difficult to get something done with the Hornets, there is clear value in gambling at No. 1. He can contribute immediately to a respectable team without the responsibility of taking over leadership. A Finals MVP and future Hall of Famer like Antetokounmpo could bring out the best in this athlete.

Ball boasts an impressive ceiling, and with the right guidance, he can become a franchise starter. Of all the possible landing spots, Milwaukee might be the best place for Ball to continue his development. However, the Bucks seem the least likely of the three options, as they currently have little cap space to work with.

But practicality will be irrelevant if their top player gets angry. The Eastern Conference presents an affordable path to the Finals. If Milwaukee still can’t get back there, then changes may be inevitable. Would trading for Ball eliminate the need to make such tough decisions? Maybe not, but the Bucks might want to find out just the same.