Every team in the NBA needs its franchise player. If they don’t have one, that means that they’re rebuilding. If they have one who isn’t good enough, they’ll be rebuilding soon. Either way, you need a franchise player.
Often, teams look to the draft to land their franchise player. With that in mind, it’s been a tremendous summer for the San Antonio Spurs. They landed a franchise player that might change basketball. Victor Wembanyama looks the part of a franchise player as much as anyone ever has.
LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets is a franchise player, too. He’s certainly talented enough to have earned the label.
Unfortunately, his tenure with the Hornets has been troubled. This organization appears to be in disarray. Could they send Ball to the Spurs to team up with Wembanyama?
NBA Trade Proposal — San Antonio Spurs Land LaMelo Ball
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G/F Keldon Johnson, G Devonte’ Graham, 2024 First-Round Pick (CHA via SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G LaMelo Ball
Landing a franchise player may be an essential step for an NBA team. It’s not the only step. They must put the best talent they can around their franchise player. They need to build the right culture around them, too.
For a long time, the Spurs were the model. They found their franchise player in Tim Duncan. After that, they put a lot of talent around him.
The Spurs rostered dynamic players like Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and others during their prolonged dynasty. Just as importantly, they built a model culture around their star players.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Hornets are not on track to do the same. The team just had to waive Kai Jones due to off-court issues. Miles Bridges is in more legal trouble. One can’t help but wonder if Ball feels like this team is putting the right group around him. Is it time for the Hornets to trade him?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
To answer that question, you’d need inside information about the Hornets. Is it true that Ball is growing dissatisfied in Charlotte? If not, they need to hang onto the talent guard.
With that said, let’s assume Ball is growing unhappy. In that event, the Hornets would be justified in moving him. This would be a good return in that event. Johnson has some star potential in his own right.
Ball is a 3-and-D wing who can create his own shot as well. He can slot in at the two alongside Brandon Miller in Charlotte. This team would still have a solid amount of young talent.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs Updates
They’d also have a lot more draft capital. The Hornets are getting full control of their own 2024 pick here – as it stands, they owe it to the Spurs with top-14 protection.
Throw in two more first-rounders, and the Hornets could move on from their franchise player at this price if they feel that they have to. Should the Spurs want him?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
What’s better than a franchise player? How about two franchise players? You won’t win a title with one superstar in today’s NBA. You need a duo to hang with the league’s most talented teams.
That doesn’t mean the Spurs must rush to find Wembanyama’s co-star. They could take a more patient approach and target their partner in the next few drafts.
Here’s a question – why? Ball is young enough to grow with Wembanyama. The Spurs need a point guard. Having already secured Wembanyama, they could justify accelerating their rebuilding process.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs Updates
After all, the fit here should be perfect. Ball is a savant playmaker who puts his teammates in the best possible situation. Wembanyama should be an elite play-finisher who can anchor one of the league’s best defenses. This could be the next big man/guard duo in the NBA.
The Spurs shouldn’t mind having two franchise players, especially ones that align well with the same timeline as they seek to return to contention status.
