LaMelo Ball trade idea could give Hornets picks and a new starting center

Is it worth dealing the face of the franchise for this mock trade package from Brooklyn?

Apr 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) arrives at the Scotiabank Arena before a game against the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Jeff Peterson has been one of the busiest executives in the NBA this offseason, making a flurry of moves in an attempt to take the Charlotte Hornets from the bottom of the Eastern Conference to having a chance to make the postseason.

Every move he has made has signaled that they're striving to become more competitive and establish a winning culture — something that has been non-existent since 2021-22.

Until he stays on the floor and impacts winning, LaMelo Ball's name is going to always be tossed around in trade rumors and hypothetical moves. It's just the nature of the business. Recently, our friends over at Atlanta Hawks On SI threw together a three-team mock trade, involving LaMelo, the Hawks, and the Brooklyn Nets.

The projected trade

Mar 25, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) looks around after being called for a foul during the second half against the Orlando Magic at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

Hawks Receive: Jalen Wilson, 2030 second-round pick

Nets Receive: LaMelo Ball and Grant Williams

Hornets Receive: Nic Claxton, an unprotected 2027 1st round pick (from BKN, via NYK), an unprotected 2028 1st round pick (via BKN), and an unprotected 2031 1st round pick (from BKN, via NYK)

Why the Hornets could consider something like this

Apr 8, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) brings the ball up in the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Claxton fills the need of a starting-caliber center and one who can actually put the ball in the hoop. Yes, his per-game averages don't pop off the page, but his effective field goal percentage does at 63.8% for his career. Moussa Diabate is a scrappy, hard-nosed defender who can really rebound it, but offers very little on the offensive end. Putting Claxton in the lineup and moving Diabate to the bench makes for a strong one-two punch at the five.

Why the Hornets likely shoot this down immediately

Mar 20, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) signals for his three point shot against the New York Knicks during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The return, in my opinion, is great. Brooklyn doesn't have the look of a playoff-contending team anytime soon, so you'll likely get some high first-round picks and a starting center in return. That said, trading LaMelo just creates another hole in the roster and one that is difficult to cover up. Yes, the Hornets have an abundance of guards, but none have the wizardry Ball has in setting up his teammates. The draft picks are great, but if you wipe out the uncertainties in this deal and just look at Ball and Claxton, it's not worth doing. If Ball stays healthy, he can be a key piece to the franchise's future. Claxton would help, but he's not a franchise-altering player. They can still pursue a starting-caliber center at a much cheaper asking price.

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