Although it would be a challenge to eliminate all of their flaws with a single move, the trade with the highest chance of doing so for the LA Clippers comes through a proposal surrounding LaMelo Ball on Yossi Gozlan’s podcast, “The Third Apron.” The Clippers take the one-time All-Star, while they part ways with John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and a first-round pick.
The Charlotte Hornets likely have no desire to trade their franchise star, but the latest reports indicate that the feeling is not mutual. According to Kelly Iko, a national reporter for Yahoo Sports, Ball is ultimately ready to win, and the 4-11 Hornets are not. This creates a misalignment in aspirations.
Amidst a rough 4-11 start, Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball has grown increasingly frustrated with the organization and is open to a trade, league sources tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/UQOxO5Q3Tg
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 20, 2025
That said, the Clippers landing the star, who was destined for greatness since he was in the spotlight as a teenage phenom at Chino Hills, will boost the pace, cut down on turnovers, give Harden a sense of relaxation, and essentially favor their run to a top-six seed.
LaMelo Ball would be the face of the LA Clippers’ future
Through the acquisition of LaMelo Ball, the LA Clippers will no longer have any worries about their future. It will be years until he is a free agent, specifically 2029-30, as the Charlotte Hornets secured the bag with an extension in July of 2023, and they have Ivica Zubac, who is just a few years older, to cement as their prized duo.
However, for now, in the event that Gozlan’s trade comes alive, Ball will be in the mix with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
This duo is much different from what the Hornets tried providing Ball in Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller. Charlotte’s may have been evidently younger, but both still had ways to go in becoming an All-Star, while Harden and Leonard are some of the top talents in the sport.
Moreover, disregarding efficiency, which will inevitably rise under a championship head coach and a winning culture, Ball has been scoring and playmaking like he is ready for the honors the league has to offer at the middle and end of the year.
Currently, Ball is averaging 21.6 points and 9.6 assists in 31.3 minutes, and he came close to a 40-point triple-double in a win at the end of October against the Washington Wizards.
Nonetheless, Ball would love the Clippers. His brother, Lonzo Ball, mentioned the match made in heaven not long ago, and this is because he knows how much of a benefit it would be for LA, as well as what is best for the future of the youngest member of the Ball family.
Trade Grade: A