"As controversial as this will sound, I would trade Ball and build around Miller. The Hornets already secured multiple assets at the deadline with the moves they made. Trading Ball would be selling high on a terrific talent who has had issues staying healthy. He played just 36 games last season and has been limited to appearing in just 22 of the Hornets’ 56 games this year, but his star power and upside would garner enough assets to truly build around Miller. Ball finalized a five-year max contract extension last July worth up to $260 million.
The Hornets are already tracking towards a top-five pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, which should allow them a real opportunity to land a nice talent to go with Miller. I think Miller has emerged as a top three player in the current rookie class. I also think Ball’s injury issues have allowed Miller the runway to take ownership of the current roster. It’s clear that he’s the guy you want to build around.
You want to shape a franchise around the people who affect winning. Brandon Miller affects winning."
Yeah let’s trade Ball when his value is at his lowest to get picks for one the worst draft classes in memory. Lol.
How about the Hornets just play games, improve chemistry, heal up, solidify the roster over the summer through the draft and FA and see what we got next October.
Thanks for sharing. This was an interesting read. I know the notion of trading Lamelo has been kicked around on here a bit, but this is the first time I’ve seen it discussed by a media outlet. I personally feel that would be premature at this point. I’d definitely like to see how he fits with our new cast of players before taking that step. If he can get/stay healthy and meshes well then we have our two stars, a solid cast of role players and draft capital, and could be on our way. In a perfect world Lamelo is a part of our long term success. But depending on how circumstances play out, it’s an option we may have to consider at some point.
You are ignoring context when talking about Lamelo’s unlucky injury history. Its not like he is 30 years old.
He has 15 years to change it. Giving up now for, again, pennies on the dollar would be pointless when you will never get the talent level in return. If we could get Edwards or Haliburton for him it would be one thing. But you are looking at a bad contract and a package of protected picks over the course of several seasons. Do you remember when Lamelo helped the team to exceed expectations in his first 2 seasons?
It is insane to suggest giving up on a player with the current talent and limitless potential of Lamelo. We wanted a guy like him for 15 years and finally got him now everyone wants to give up on him. It sucks.
Lamelo isn’t as injury prone as people suggest, I would say there could be some concern about recovery time after injuries although it is hard to say, he has had very bad high ankle sprains 2 years in a row, one that led to a fracture.
I know he will get healthy and prove everyone wrong. This guy is a generational talent that you won’t be able to replace regardless of draft pick.
I’m in the entertain “trade Ball” crowd, but the only way I’d probably do it is if you got a star player that complimented Miller. Not sure if that’s reasonable, but that’s what I’d do. I would be more skeptical of the key acquisition being draft picks.
I’m still ready to cheer for the guy upon his return and hope he’s taking notes on making the game easier instead of more complex.
Minimally, he’s a try hard defender. I like him in on-ball defensive scenarios a lot. He’s not perfect, but he’s really good. Sort of what i thought Terry could be but never ever was for us.
The context is he has missed 40% of his career games over his 4 years in the league. He has been healthy 1 out of 4 years. And it’s not like he’s 30 and showing age related injuries. He is 23 and has never shown health
We need a guy with his potential and skills who actually plays in games.
Lamelo is nothing but injury prone. He is averaging 1 healthy season in every 4. His entire cheap years of his contract were wasted with only 60% availability in games. He is now a giant cap liability if he doesn’t play
You wanting him to get healthy won’t make it happen. The evidence is against your assertion.
He is absolutely not a generational talent and isn’t even the best guard in his own draft class. He is good but the word generational has lost its meaning.
I would be curious how many players in NBA history (or any sport) have had the ratio of played:sat that Lamelo has had through 4 years, due to injuries that have had highly impactful careers; impactful being All Star/All Sport level accolades.
That’s a response I would expect from my 13 year old.
I get it, you are a huge melo fan. But writing alot of words repeatedly that say he isn’t injury prone to the point it is a major concern and that he is a generational talent when there are at 3 other guards from his own class who are at least as productive as him (edwards, haliburton, maxey) doesn’t make them true.
Nobody is saying waive him but now that there is a player that appears to be a true alpha and leader of men on the team, it is worth looking at building around him and not an oft injured superstar who seems to be more about brand business than basketball.
