The Los Angeles Clippers Could Make A Huge Move This Offseason
Lou Williams believes the Clippers will try to acquire Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball
The Los Angeles Clippers have been quiet so far this summer. Although they haven’t taken much action, some NBA pundits have begun tossing out ideas.
On Wednesday, a clip from the "Run It Back" podcast went viral via X. In the clip, Lou Williams believes the Clippers could try to acquire Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball.
“I could see the Clippers making a play for LaMelo Ball and him being able to go home and do something special at the crib.” - Lou Williams
Ball spent his first five years in the league with the Hornets, the franchise that drafted him in 2020.
Despite not finding much success together, Ball has been the best player in Charlotte since the days of Kemba Walker. His impact was felt during his first season when he averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals.
Due to his efforts, he won the Rookie of the Year award, joining Larry Johnson and Emeka Okafor as the only players in the Hornets franchise to win the prize.
For his career, Ball is averaging 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals. However, he is coming off arguably his best year yet.
This season, he averaged a career-high 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. His best game took place on Nov. 23 when he recorded a career-high 50 points and 10 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks. Even though he wasn’t named an All-Star, his performance this season was impressive.
Ball and the Clippers could be compatible
Acquiring Ball this summer could be beneficial for Los Angeles.
Despite having a scorer and playmaker in James Harden on the roster, the Clippers still struggled in that area. This year, they averaged only 112.9 points and 25.2 assists, both ranking below 19th in the league. They also finished with an offensive rating of 115.1, ranking them 14th in the NBA.
Ball could help them improve that. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a player who can score and playmake at a high level. Despite averaging 3.3 turnovers, he is excellent at creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
The Clippers would also be getting a younger and marketable player whom they could build around. Considering that most of the players on the roster are experienced veterans, a 23-year-old Ball would be important for the franchise.
It would come at a cost
Similar to many trades involving a rising star, the receiver will need to give up some essential assets.
If the Clippers do go after Ball this offseason, they might have to create a trade package that includes Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and multiple first-round picks. Once they receive Ball, they will likely have to move Harden back to the shooting guard position, a position he hasn’t played since being with the Houston Rockets.
Even though acquiring Ball would present some risks for the Clippers, it could be worth it if they operate it correctly.
Cory Nelson is a contributor to The Lead. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson, Instagram @ckenzynelson, and Threads @ckenzynelson