Trade talks are already heating up in the ever-evolving NBA. One headliner trade candidate emerging is Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, who Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko reports is frustrated with the Hornets and open to being moved.
While the Portland Trail Blazers aren't the frontrunners to land Ball, they should be considered a dark horse. Multiple analysts have now discussed Portland as a potential landing spot for the disgruntled star, and the proposed trade packages have been consistent across outlets.
Here's what a potential Ball trade could entail:
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report named Portland as a potential fit, with a package centered around Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant, and a 2028 first-round pick (via Orlando). Yossi Gozlan and Sam Quinn discussed the same package, excluding the first-round pick, on the Third Apron Podcast.
"You could plug in LaMelo's spot for Ja [Morant] or Trae [Young] if they wanted to go that direction. I think the Blazers could easily get one of these three guys," Gozlan said.
Scoot Henderson for LaMelo Ball? So crazy it might just work
This would give Portland an immediate star-power upgrade and resolve many of its playmaking concerns. At the same time, the Blazers already had an offensive-minded guard in the backcourt, Anfernee Simons, and decided to trade him to Boston in part because he didn't fit their defensive identity. As Gozlan notes, that could be a potential deal breaker in acquiring these stars as well.
"The one thing that is giving me some push back on the Blazers potentially being interested is, with the way Jrue Holiday is playing, I think this type of guard is who they want going forward. Jrue is in year 17; he's not going to be their answer in a couple of years. But maybe they are going to try to go after like a Derrick White in the future."
Ideally, the Blazers already have their Holiday successor in Henderson. But, in part due to Henderson's untimely injury, he has yet to solidify his case as the Blazers' starting point guard of the future.
In theory, someone like Derrick White is still a better fit. But given the uncertainty surrounding Ball's trade value, White is likely to cost Portland much more. While Ball may not be a perfect fit on defense, it's not like Portland's vision is working this season. They currently rank 22nd in defensive rating (116.6), meaning they may need to pivot their approach towards having a more balanced roster.
The Blazers are in this challenging phase of their rebuilding timeline, where they need to upgrade their roster to get back to the postseason, but can't afford to have it come at the expense of their future. There may not be another opportunity to add a star who perfectly fits their rebuilding timeline and may not even require significant draft capital, if any, to land. Despite his improved play, getting off Jerami Grant's massive contract would also be a win for Portland's long-term outlook.
While Henderson may eventually become the player they envisioned when they invested in him with a No. 3 overall pick, Ball offers them a guaranteed point guard of the future. Addressing that position is one of the most pressing questions surrounding Portland's rebuild.
While taking on a polarizing star in Ball may be perceived as a risk, it's actually the opposite. To do nothing presents a risk in itself, as the Blazers eventually need to make an aggresive move to boost their ceiling.