Charlotte Hornets Receive: F Royce O’Neale, G Cam Thomas, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN) 

Brooklyn Nets Receive: G LaMelo Ball 

With that said, shot creation is a closely related concept to playmaking. 

Arguably, they’re the same. This feels something like an LSAT question. If all shot creators are playmakers, are all playmakers shot creators? 

No. Really, it’s a matter of semantics. Technically, any player who creates their own shot from scratch is “making a play”. Still, when we bring up a playmaker, we’re usually referring to a player who can create for themselves and others. 

For example, look at Mikal Bridges of the Nets. When he was on the Phoenix Suns, we thought he was a 3-and-D wing. In Brooklyn, he’s emerged as a shot creator.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets & Brooklyn Nets Updates 

Still, it would be misleading to classify him as a playmaker. 

Would he thrive alongside a playmaker like Ball?