Proposed 3-Team Blockbuster Would Land LaMelo Ball with Mavericks
The LaMelo Ball rumors just won't die. After five years in the NBA as one of the league's most exciting young talents, the star point guard is tired of the losing with the Charlotte Hornets, and rumblings have surfaced about him being moved this offseason.
A blockbuster three-team proposal from Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report would send Ball to the Dallas Mavericks to join Anthony Davis next season. The major focal points of the trade would be 'Melo for Kyrie Irving. But there are five other players and some draft assets involved as well.
Here's how this hypothetical deal would go down:
Dallas Mavericks receive:
- LaMelo Ball (from Hornets)
- Josh Okogie (from Hornets)
- DaQuan Jeffries (from Hornets)
- 2025 second-rounder (from Lakers)
- $6.6 million trade exception (Daniel Gafford)
- $2.6 million trade exception (Kyrie Irving)
Charlotte Hornets receive:
- Kyrie Irving (from Mavericks)
- Dalton Knecht (from Lakers)
- Maxi Kleber (from Lakers)
- 2025 first-rounder (from Mavericks)
- 2029 Lakers first-rounder (from Mavericks)
LA Lakers receive:
- Daniel Gafford (from Mavericks)
In addition to the above players and picks, Kyrie would earn a $6.6 million trade
bonus. Ball would receive a $2.8 million trade kicker.
As for the Mavericks, they could certainly be concerned with Irving's recovery from
his torn ACL. He's expected to be back perhaps around mid-season next year, but at
the age of 33, soon after that to turn 34, how would his game be affected?
Their entire AD & Irving plan going forward could be in trouble if Kyrie isn't the same.
Bringing in an exciting point guard like Ball (who, granted, has had plenty of injury
troubles himself, but not career-threatening), would revitalize the roster, and shave
10 years off the age of their lead guard.
Why would the Hornets do it? As Pincus writes, Ball's five-year extension kicks in
this summer at a value of $204 million. Are they ready to pay that kind of money for
another five years of losing if they can't seem to build a winning roster around him?
"Many around the league think Charlotte may look to move him."
Instead, the Hornets get two first-round picks and a young player we know they like
in Dalton Knecht, whom they already traded for once from
the Lakers back at the deadline, only to have it rescinded when Charlotte center
Mark Williams failed his LA physical.
The Purple & Gold get a very useful big man out of the deal for their part in the
transaction.
Photo: © Mady Mertens-Imagn Images
