Lou Williams addresses whether the LA Clippers should trade for Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball.
When the Charlotte Hornets drafted LaMelo Ball using the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, many expected him to become a cornerstone superstar for the team.
However, fast forward to 2025, and the experiment hasn’t resulted in a fruitful situation for either side. Ball wasn’t able to end the Hornets’ playoff drought as it increased to nine years after this season.
The Hornets finished with a 19-63 record this season and were awarded with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesLonzo Ball’s prediction for LaMelo Ball
With the Hornets landing a top-five pick, LaMelo’s older brother, Lonzo Ball, recently made a surprising prediction about the Charlotte star’s future.
Lonzo believes the Hornets will engage in a blockbuster trade to acquire his younger brother after the 2025 NBA Draft.
“I lowkey got Dylan Harper going to the Hornets. I got ‘Melo going to the Clips,” Lonzo stated.
But with Dylan Harper being a top prospect, it’s unlikely that he will fall to the No. 4 spot. Despite knowing that, Ball doubled down on his prediction.
He claimed that the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3 overall pick) have a lot of problems to deal with aside from drafting Harper.
As for the San Antonio Spurs (No. 2 overall pick), they have been rumored to trade their top-two pick to add another All-Star caliber player alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Lou Williams agrees with Lonzo’s prediction
While LaMelo has struggled with injuries throughout his career with the Hornets, former LA Clippers star Lou Williams agreed with Lonzo’s prediction.
“I’m buying that. I can see the Clippers making a play for a premier point guard. I know they have been in the market for one. They have been trying to figure out what they’re gonna do at that position,” Williams said.
Williams believes James Harden moving back to the shooting guard position will be key to this potential move as it would allow Ball to play his natural game.
As for the Hornets, he added: “If they draft another point guard, they’re showing you their hand. They’re showing you that they’re possibly gonna move in a different direction.”
Ball has averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game with the Hornets. However, Ball’s health remains a huge concern as he has played more than 70 games just once in the last five seasons.