NBA trade proposals send Hornets’ LaMelo Ball to Blazers, Clippers, Heat, Mavs

Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey floated a handful of hypothetical trade destinations for LaMelo Ball, listing the Trail Blazers, Clippers, Heat and Mavericks as teams that could make sense if the Hornets ever decide to move their All-Star point guard.

The column followed reporting from Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, who wrote that Ball would be open to a trade.

Ball has pushed back hard on that idea, saying he’s happy in Charlotte and wants to stay.

Still, Bailey laid out a few scenarios for fun. Here’s how they look on paper.

Trail Blazers idea:
Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson and Orlando’s 2028 first-round pick for Ball.

Clippers idea:
John Collins, Derrick Jones Jr., Cam Christie and a top-five protected 2032 first-round pick.

Heat idea:
Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick.
Bailey also notes Miami could structure versions involving Tyler Herro or even Terry Rozier, though the draft capital would shift based on the salary centerpiece. A Herro-and-Jovic package, for example, might not include picks at all.

Mavericks idea:
Anthony Davis for Ball, Grant Williams, Liam McNeeley, a top-five protected 2028 first-rounder and a lottery-protected 2030 first-rounder.

The Hornets drafted Ball third overall in 2020, and he quickly won Rookie of the Year before making the All-Star team in 2022.

Injuries have since complicated things. Charlotte is 100-140 in games Ball has played (through Friday), and the franchise hasn’t posted a winning season since 2021–22.

Ball has appeared in only 10 games this fall, averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists while shooting 38 percent from the field.

He signed a five-year, $203 million extension in 2023 and is making $37.9 million this season. He does not have a no-trade clause.

A California native, Ball holds career averages of 21.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists for Charlotte.