Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesJason BurgosWed, December 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM UTC·2 min readIf the Dallas Mavericks or Toronto Raptors wanted to swing a blockbuster trade for talented young star LaMelo Ball, a new report offers up some red flags about the guard.
When the Charlotte Hornets made Ball the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, there was hope he could spearhead a rise back to relevancy for the franchise. Unfortunately, during his six seasons, they have had just one winning year. A 43-39 campaign in 2021-22.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA key issue has been Ball’s problems staying on the court. He has suited up in 60 or more games just once during his career, and that was his All-Star season in 2021-22. When he is on the court, he can put up impressive numbers, including averaging 25 points and seven assists last season. However, there have been growing concerns that even when he’s healthy, he hurts the team more than he helps it.
“Nobody has ever questioned the talent,” a West executive told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks. “But he’s just so unserious.”
LaMelo Ball stats: 18.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 8.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 28% 3PT
“He’s definitely one of the top three most talented guards in the league,” another exec told the outlet. “But every [scouting] report I write on him has the word ‘Globetrotter’ in it.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I don’t think you can win anything with LaMelo,” a scout from the Western Conference added.
Two teams that have been linked to a potential trade for the talented guard are the Mavericks and Raptors. Clubs that are in very different positions right now. The Mavericks seem like a lottery-bound team following last season’s trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, there is a belief that a talented ball handler could help teenage rookie Cooper Flagg further grow into a top 20 player.
On the other hand, the Raptors are in striking distance of the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The big difference this year is that they have relied on their defense, and it has carried them to a 15-7 start. They could use an All-Star-level ball-handler in the backcourt. On paper, the trio of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Scottie Barnes seems scary good.
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