For an NBA team, there’s nothing more important than landing a franchise player. By that logic, losing one is a team’s worst nightmare. With that said, it happens. Star players are requesting trades in the modern NBA with increasing regularity.
It doesn’t matter what a team has invested in them. Why should it? Star players have the power to change their situation. We should assume that they’ll use that power. They’re the most important people in the NBA. If they don’t like where they are, it’s reasonable to assume that they’ll force their way to a new location.
So, the Charlotte Hornets have to do everything in their power to keep LaMelo Ball happy. What if they can’t? What if Ball eventually requests a trade? Could the Hornets send him to the New York Knicks?
The Trade Proposal
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, G Immanuel Quickley, 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G LaMelo Ball
What causes a star to demand a trade? Sometimes, it’s market size. A star on a small market team may seek to play under brighter lights. Who can blame them? Who wouldn’t want to play in Madison Square Garden?
Well, Giannis Antetokoumnpo hasn’t forced his way out of Milwaukee yet. Nikola Jokic doesn’t seem likely to force his way out of Denver – he spends his summers in Serbia anyway. Are small markets on the rise? Or, is the rise of international players the explanation? It’s possible that someone born in Serbia or Greece wouldn’t romanticize New York or Los Angeles as someone who was born in Ohio might.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets & New York Knicks Updates
Well, Ball was born in California. He’s probably not a Knicks fan. Still, he could feel that playing in New York would improve his brand. It feels possible that Ball could eventually request a trade. If he did, is this a fair return for him?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
This is a worst-case scenario for the Hornets. It’s evident that they want to keep Ball. This organization passed on Scoot Henderson to draft a player who complimented him more. At the same time, that won’t stop Ball from requesting a trade. This idea is designed with that hypothetical situation in mind.
If Ball did want out, this would be a solid return for him. His value is slightly depreciated by injury concerns, so the Hornets may not get a massive haul of draft capital for him. With that in mind, two first-round picks and a swap is a good return – provided that Charlotte likes the players they’re getting here, that is.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets & New York Knicks Updates
They should like Quickly. He’s an excellent two-way guard who can create his own shot and defend the point of attack. Barrett has been inconsistent, but he’s still got a lot of upside. Should the Knicks give those two young players up?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
We know what you’re thinking. The Knicks already have their point guard. Why would they acquire Ball with Jalen Brunson in tow? What sense does that make?
Well, Ball isn’t strictly an elite playmaker. He’s also one of the more efficient volume three-point shooters in the NBA. Meanwhile, Brunson is an adequate floor spacer as well. Having these two playmakers in the backcourt would make the Knicks almost impossible to anticipate. With Julius Randle in the front court, the Knicks could run one of the better offenses in the NBA by acquiring Ball.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets & New York Knicks Updates
Meanwhile, Barrret’s inconsistencies should be troubling to the win-now Knicks anyway. Losing Quickley stings, but at the cost of LaMelo Ball, it’s easily worth their while. Following this deal, all the Knicks would have to do is hang onto their new franchise player.
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