Nov 29, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) and Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) hug after the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images David Banks-Imagn Images

Lonzo Ball Makes Wild LaMelo Ball Trade Prediction

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated May 16, 2025 4:42 PM ET

The Charlotte Hornets entered the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery with the third-best odds and in a three-way tie to land the first overall pick. While landing first overall pick would've changed the entire trajectory of their franchise with a chance to land Cooper Flagg, they are now slotted to pick fourth overall in June's draft.

On a recent episode of his podcast, What An Experience with Lonzo Ball , Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball decided to chime in on the NBA Draft and share his prediction. While the current consensus is that the San Antonio Spurs will select Rutgers guard Dylan Harper second overall, he sees a different situation panning out, and the Hornets make a major trade.

Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball want the Hornets to move up to select Dylan Harper and trade LaMelo Ball to the LA Clippers.

Sounds like the entire Ball family wants to see LaMelo Ball in LAC pic.twitter.com/F8U1UHkkrP
— APHoops (@APH00PS) May 16, 2025

"I lowkey got Dylan Harper going to the Hornets, and I got [LaMelo] going to the [Clippers]," Ball shared in a wild prediction. While LaMelo has been a star for the Hornets since being drafted there in 2020, a change of scenery could be best for him to improve his career.

However, the most unlikely part of this scenario would be Harper dropping from the second overall pick to the fourth. But Harper likely wouldn't be selected third overall if he dropped, with the Philadelphia 76ers already having their backcourt in Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. This scenario would be ideal for the Clippers, giving them a franchise point guard and bringing LaMelo back to LA.

Dylan Harper has enviable measurements to play either guard spot, drawing comparisons from our historical database to D-Wade with his size, sturdy frame and huge wingspan. He could easily play alongside De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in the same backcourt. pic.twitter.com/83MX1RuiQa
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 14, 2025

Looking into this further, Lonzo predicting a trade for LaMelo out of Charlotte could mean the Hornets' All-Star might be asking out soon. For now, a lot would have to happen for this to come true.

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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