The Charlotte Hornets are off to another disappointing start, sitting at 6-12 and buried near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. It’s tough to watch because LaMelo Ball is having the best season of his young career—dropping 31.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds a night—and it still feels like people are not talking about him enough.
Former NBA forward Chandler Parsons said it best: “I want to see him do this on a bigger stage. I want to see him on a relevant team. I want to see him on a big market.” And honestly, he’s got a point. LaMelo is a walking highlight reel—crossovers, no-look passes, and ridiculous pull-up threes—but Charlotte isn’t the biggest place to shine. So, in a purely hypothetical world, where could LaMelo thrive? Let’s break down three big-market teams that would be the ultimate fit for his game and star power.
1. Los Angeles Clippers
Potential Trade Offer
Clippers Receive: LaMelo Ball
Hornets Receive: Norman Powell, Bones Hyland, Terance Mann, Kevin Porter Jr., 2031 First-Round Pick
The Clippers are sitting at 12-8, holding down the 7th spot in the Western Conference, but their season feels shaky. Kawhi Leonard hasn’t suited up yet this year, still sidelined with a knee injury, and Paul George’s offseason move to the 76ers left a major gap in the lineup. Sure, James Harden just dropped a vintage 43-point performance in a win over the Wizards, but he’s clearly past his peak, and the Clippers know they need a long-term answer if they want to remain relevant. Enter LaMelo Ball.
Ball is having a monster season playing for a struggling Hornets team. After a tough 98-94 loss to the Heat, where LaMelo put up 32 points and 10 rebounds, the Hornets dropped to 6-12. He’s been carrying Charlotte this season, but his talents are screaming for a bigger stage. A move to Los Angeles could give Ball the platform to shine while filling the Clippers’ need for a franchise cornerstone. His flashy playmaking and scoring would bring much-needed excitement to a team stuck between competing and rebuilding.
Los Angeles also offers LaMelo the bright lights and media attention he’s built for. The Clippers could use his energy and skill set alongside Harden and Kawhi (if healthy), forming a dynamic core that could contend now while positioning the team for the future. The fit makes sense, but the trade package on the table—Norman Powell, Bones Hyland, Terance Mann, Kevin Porter Jr., and a 2031 first-round pick—feels wildly short of what the Hornets would demand.
Plus, trading LaMelo would be like hitting reset on their entire rebuild. He’s the centerpiece of their future, and no deal with this level of underwhelming assets would justify moving him. While the Clippers could make a compelling case for why Ball fits their plans, this offer just isn’t it. It’s fun to imagine LaMelo dazzling in L.A., but the Hornets would need a king’s ransom to even consider letting go of their franchise star.
2. Chicago Bulls
Potential Trade Offer
Bulls Receive: LaMelo Ball
Hornets Receive: Coby White, Josh Giddey, Patrick Williams, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2029 First-Round Pick
The Bulls are 8-12 and stuck in that awkward middle ground—good enough to stay in the play-in race but nowhere near actual contention. Zach LaVine is putting up 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while Nikola Vucevic is adding 20.4 points and 9.9 rebounds. Coby White has been a bright spot, averaging 18.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, and Josh Giddey’s versatility shines with 12.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per night. But even with solid individual efforts, the Bulls don’t have that one franchise player to take them to the next level. That’s where LaMelo Ball could change everything.
Ball would completely change the direction of this team. His playmaking would make life so much easier for scorers like LaVine and Vucevic, and his ability to score at a high level would take pressure off everyone else. Plus, at 23 years old, he’s the kind of guy you can build a future around. For the Bulls, getting Ball would mean turning their current core into a real threat in the East and giving the franchise a true identity again.
On the court, the Bulls would give LaMelo the keys to a big-market franchise hungry for success. He wouldn’t just be a piece of the puzzle—he’d be the face of the franchise, the guy leading them into the future. Pairing his youth and energy with the Bulls’ established pieces would give him the chance to shine on a bigger stage, in front of a passionate fan base that would embrace his unique game. It’s the kind of move that could put LaMelo on the MVP radar and solidify his status as one of the faces of the NBA.
But still, from the Hornets’ perspective, this trade package is interesting but probably not enough. Coby White is a talented scorer with upside, and Josh Giddey brings a unique all-around game. Patrick Williams has flashed potential as a two-way forward but hasn’t consistently delivered yet. The two first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 are decent assets but not likely to be high-value selections. The Hornets would need more if they’re giving up their franchise player.
3. Brooklyn Nets
Potential Trade Offer
Nets Receive: LaMelo Ball
Hornets Receive: Cam Thomas, Bogdanovic, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2027 First-Round Pick (via PHI), 2029 First-Round Pick (via NYK)
The Nets are 9-10 and looking like they’ve finally found some rhythm, riding a three-game win streak capped by a win over the Suns. They’re in a funky spot—not fully rebuilding, but definitely not contenders yet. Coach Jordi Fernández has them playing hard despite injuries to key pieces like Cam Thomas and Bogdanovic. Thomas, sidelined with a hamstring strain that’ll keep him out at least three weeks, was leading the team with 24.7 points per game before he went down. Oh, and don’t forget: the Nets couldn’t lock him into an extension before the season, so he’s heading for restricted free agency in 2025. All of that has him popping up in trade rumors, which makes him a big piece in this hypothetical deal.
Adding LaMelo Ball to the mix would instantly shift the Nets’ trajectory. He’d give them the true franchise player they’ve been missing since the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving days, and he’d fit perfectly with their versatile roster. The Nets are a big-market team without the constant noise of the Knicks, giving Ball the spotlight without overwhelming him. On the court, Ball would run the show, creating for guys like Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton, and Ziaire Williams, while keeping defenses honest with his scoring. It’s a win for both Ball’s career and the Nets’ future.
For the Hornets, the package offers solid pieces. Thomas is a bucket—hamstring injury or not, his scoring potential is real, and at just 23 years old, he could develop into something special. Bogdanovic brings veteran shooting and leadership, and Finney-Smith is a defensive ace who fits anywhere. Throw in the 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, and the Hornets would have some ammo to keep building. Is it enough to replace a guy like Ball? Not really. But it’s a decent starting point if they’re forced to move on.
This deal feels like a win for the Nets, giving them a new face of the franchise and a clear direction forward. For the Hornets, it’s a tough sell, but with the right spin, it could be part of a larger rebuild. It’s bold, it’s risky, and it might just work.
