A blockbuster trade proposal has a Western Conference heavyweight shaking up the 2025 NBA championship race by acquiring Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball.
The soon-to-be 23-year-old LaMelo Ball has emerged as one of the top young scorers in the NBA. Unfortunately, the longtime struggling Hornets have failed to construct a proper supporting cast around Lonzo’s younger brother.
With the Hornets nowhere close to contending, there’s a case to be made that they’d be better off trading Ball and acquiring more young assets to help their rebuild. Plus, trading Ball would greatly increase their chances of winning the 2025 NBA Draft lottery.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale proposed a fascinating trade idea that would see the Hornets send LaMelo Ball to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, 2026 and 2028 first-round picks, 2027 and 2029 first-round pick swaps and a conditional 2030 first-round selection that could become a 2031 second-rounder:
“The Warriors can try finagling a deal without Moody’s inclusion. Or by adding salary (Kevon Looney?) and seconds to extract Cody Martin. But the bones of this package shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. That includes losing Podziemski. For all he does so damn well, LaMelo is more likely to become the star bridge capable of optimizing two eras.
Charlotte has to really believe Golden State will be cooked in the post-Steph years to co-sign this deal. If the front office thinks there’s a less than 50 percent chance of the 2030 first-rounder conveying, it significantly butchers the appeal. But if the Hornets view this as Podz, Moody, three firsts, at least one likely to be exercised swap, a shorter-term contract they can move later (Wiggins) and the chance to jazz up their own draft-lottery stock, it should warrant a conversation..”
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The Warriors bid farewell to franchise icon Klay Thompson, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks in free agency. So, additional scoring depth is needed to complement 36-year-old Stephen Curry and young star Jonathan Kuminga if the Dubs are to keep their championship window open.
Injuries have unfortunately limited Ball to 58 total games over the past two seasons. Over his first four NBA seasons (184 total games), Ball has averaged 20 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.
LaMelo Ball Would Make The Warriors Contenders Again
From a business standpoint, the Warriors made the right call to let an ageing Thompson walk. But if they don’t make another big splash between now and opening night, it’s hard to see Golden State making much noise in 2024-25.
Not only would acquiring LaMelo Ball re-open the Warriors’ championship window, but they’d have their franchise star to build around when Curry eventually retires. So if the Hornets are open for business, this is a trade the Dubs should definitely explore.
