This NBA trade idea has the Charlotte Hornets parting ways with LaMelo Ball for a 10-time All-Star.
A blockbuster NBA trade idea between the Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks has been created.
NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Hornets and Mavericks:
Hornets get: Anthony Davis
Mavericks get: LaMelo Ball, Grant Williams, Liam McNeeley, a top-5 protected 2028 first-round pick and a lottery-protected 2030 first-round pick
Bailey created this trade idea in the wake of NBA insider Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reporting that Ball is open to getting traded by the Hornets.
The Hornets would have a new "Big 3" of Davis, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel if Charlotte acquired Davis, the 10-time All-Star who was traded to the Mavericks last season by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Luka Doncic deal.
Davis has appeared in 14 games with the Mavericks since the Doncic trade. He's averaging 20.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 blocks per game in a Dallas uniform.
A future Hall of Famer, Davis has played in five games this season. He's currently dealing with a left calf strain and it's unknown when the Chicago native will suit up again.
Davis is averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this season. He turns 33 in March.
A top 75 player of all time, Davis has played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Lakers and Mavericks. He has career averages of 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
One of the best two-way players in NBA history, Davis is making $54.1 million this season. He will make $58.5 million next season and has a player option for the 2027–28 season worth $62.8 million.
The Hornets drafted Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball won the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award and made the All-Star team during the 2021-22 season.
However, Charlotte is only 100-140 when Ball plays and the franchise hasn't had a winning record since the 2021-22 season.
Ball has appeared in just nine games this season. He's averaging 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game while shooting 38.5% overall, 29.8% from 3 and 86.7% from the foul line.
The 24-year-old Ball has career averages of 21.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game with the Hornets. He's never been to the playoffs and has only led Charlotte to one winning season.