Yes, I said it.
Trading LaMelo Ball to the Clippers would be the most diabolical move in recent Hornets history. Actually, the worse than the SGA blunder. And if you’ve been watching this postseason, you already know dealing a point guard to the Clippers doesn’t end well for Charlotte.
Let’s not make this mistake twice.
It all started when Lonzo Ball dropped a spicy little nugget on his podcast. He said he thought the Hornets were planning to take Dylan Harper with the No. 2 pick, and that LaMelo might be heading to Los Angeles. Is this insider knowledge or just wishful thinking from a big brother who was born in LA and would love to see the youngest Ball brother play at home? Either way, Lonzo’s comments sent NBA Twitter into a frenzy.
And then came Lou Williams.
The former Clippers star appeared on FanDuel TV’s "Run It Back", saying, “I can see the Clippers making a play for a premier point guard. I know they’ve been in the market for one.” Suddenly, the whispers are roars. But let’s pump the brakes.
Because if this trade were to happen? It would be a disaster.
What Are the Clippers Actually Offering?
Let’s start with the return. According to SI.com’s Grant Mona, any trade talks would begin with Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac. That’s a 32-year-old shooting guard and a 28-year-old center, which are both coming off strong seasons, sure, but they’re not franchise players.
You don’t trade a 22-year-old former All-Star for mid-tier veterans unless your goal is to spin the treadmill of mediocrity forever. LaMelo has star power. He has marketing juice. And most importantly, he’s a foundational piece for a rebuild—or a retool, if done correctly. Powell and Zubac? With all due respect, no one’s buying tickets to watch them run pick-and-rolls.
Moving Up to No. 2, But At What Cost?
If the Hornets are also trading up from No. 4 to No. 2 in this deal, they’d better get more than just the chance to draft Dylan Harper. According to Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz, the Clippers “own the last pick of the first round in 2025 and don’t control any other firsts until 2030.”
So what’s the sweetener? James Harden? Please. Kawhi Leonard? He’s untouchable. Even if you like Cam Christie or Kobe Brown, neither moves the needle enough to justify shipping out your franchise point guard.
The Ghosts of Hornets Past
Let’s not forget that the Hornets have already made trades that aged like milk in the Carolina heat.
In 1996, they traded Kobe Bryant to the Lakers. In 2018, they selected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only to ship him to the Clippers, where he barely got settled before breaking out in OKC. Now imagine LaMelo Ball, finally healthy, putting up 26 and 9 for the Clippers in the 2027 Western Conference Finals. This is a front-office landmine. One that could get a GM fired faster than a pilot who forgets how altitude works.
We Get Where Lonzo’s Coming From… But C’mon
Charlotte’s a tough basketball market. The fans can be quiet, the arena energy inconsistent. Ball, who grew up in the glitz of LA and played overseas, might want a bigger stage. That’s fair. But if the goal is winning, the Hornets need to build around LaMelo and not break it all apart for an uncertain reset.
If Charlotte wants to escape the lottery loop, the answer isn't giving up your best player for veterans whose clocks are ticking. It’s surrounding Ball with defensive-minded vets, shooters, and real basketball adults. Guys who can help this roster grow into something sustainable.
Trading LaMelo Ball to the Clippers wouldn’t just be a misstep. It would be a catastrophe. A move that echoes through franchise history alongside Kobe and SGA. The Hornets don’t need to sell hope. They have a star. Now it’s time to build a team worthy of him.
Let the players play. Let the GMs manage. And let’s hope Charlotte doesn’t let another one slip away.