No Dunks – The Drop | LaMelo Ball Trade Rumors & One Month In Awards

Podcast: No Dunks (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: J. Skeets, Tas Melis, Trey Kirby, JD (Super Producer)

Overview

This episode dives into the hottest NBA topics one month into the 2025–26 season. The No Dunks crew begins with the swirl of LaMelo Ball trade rumors and why both the Charlotte Hornets and Ball might be open to parting ways. They then hand out "one month in" awards (MVP, Most Improved, Biggest Surprise, Underrated Storylines), break down the best and worst of the week in the league, and hit their signature rapid-fire fun questions. Sprinkled throughout are sharp stats, playful banter, and memorable moments fitting the "classic" No Dunks Friday vibe.

LaMelo Ball Trade Rumors Discussion

Starts: 02:37

Headline: Yahoo Sports reported that Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball is frustrated with the team and open to being traded; the team may also be open to moving him.

Key Points:

• LaMelo’s Frustration & Retweet:
  • Ball retweeted the news with a clown emoji—casting doubt but not denying the story.
• Charlotte’s Stance:
  • Hornets sources are “hesitant about cementing Ball as a long-term foundational piece and have become disillusioned with the 24-year-old.” (04:36)
• Contract & Reliability Issues:
  • Ball’s under contract for three more years at $40–$46 million/year.
  • Only played 58% of possible games: "I just don't get what LaMelo wants... I just saw the Reddit comment that said LaMelo plays basketball like he has AirPods in and I think that's kind of what it is." – Tas (03:15)
• On-Court Efficiency:
  • Ball’s efficiency has plummeted: shooting under 39% FG and less than 30% from three this season (07:26).
• Trade Market:
  • Trey: "A team would absolutely trade for LaMelo. He's only 24. He's a really good player still. He's just not a winning player at this point." (04:58)
  • Hornets have draft assets and young talent, so can afford to trade for future value.
  • Suitors discussed: Kings, Heat, Blazers, Bulls, potentially Nets and Clippers—but many teams already have solid point guards.

Notable Quotes:

• On LaMelo's Style:
  • “He wants to come down, fly down the court, and just shoot. He's a polarizing player. People are like, he's really good, and others, no, he's not.” – Skeets (11:53)
• On Trade Value:
  • “The unreliability of LaMelo means the trade packages probably won't be all that interesting.” – Trey (06:55)
• On Organization Fits:
  • “Would maybe thrive in a more structured organization, but aren't they trying to do that now?” – Skeets (08:55)
  • “Player like LaMelo Ball would maybe thrive on a more competent team... Is there an organization that just says he's in our locker room and he's better?” – Tas (09:02)
• Trade Scenarios:
  • “Jalen Green for LaMelo”—hot take ideas thrown out for potential swap value (10:53).
  • “I saw [a trade proposed]: MPJ for LaMelo. I'd do that if I'm the Nets in a heartbeat.” – Skeets (12:08)
• California Homecoming:
  • “People trying to get him home to California... Clippers. But packaging a trade there would be tough.” – Skeets (12:34)

Timestamp Highlights:

• [03:15] — Tas on why teams would hesitate to trade for Ball
• [04:58] — Trey rebuts: teams would trade for LaMelo, but only with faith in his health
• [06:56] — Skeets: Ball benched late in most recent loss; stats context
• [09:37] — Skeets/Tas: Where could Ball fit? Scoot for Ball? Bulls interest?
• [11:51] — Skeets on Ball as a polarizing player
• [12:07] — Tossing out MPJ-for-LaMelo type swaps

One Month In: NBA Awards Discussion

Starts: 13:27

MVP Race

• Trey’s pick: Nikola Jokic
  • "29 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, shooting 64% from the field. He is clearly the best player in the league right now." (13:41)
• Tas alternative: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA)
  • Thunder are 15–1, SGA "has played in every game" (14:51)
• Power rankings references:
  • SGA is current betting favorite (+135), then Jokic (+175), Luka, Giannis, Maxey, Cade.
  • Basketball Reference MVP tracker: Jokic 82%, SGA 14% (16:13)
• “If SGA’s OKC stays near 74–75 wins, the guy’s getting it.”—Tas (14:51)

Most Improved Player (MIP)

• Jalen Duren is unanimous top pick:
  • “He’s basically two different players in one... An athletic center and a canny elbow operator.” – Skeets quoting Hollinger (21:03)
  • "He's a go-to scorer, shooting 70% in November." – Trey (20:08)
• Runner-ups:
  • Trey: Austin Reaves (Lakers), big all-around jump
  • Discussion: Denny Avdija, Ryan Rollins also getting buzz (19:01)
• Josh Giddey has taken a leap:
  • Nearly a triple-double average, surging ahead more quickly than in prior years (23:22)

Notable MIP Quotes:

• “Ryan Rollins is fun. I can’t give it to Deni Avdija because… we knew it was coming.” – Tas (19:01)
• “Jalen Duren… blown past All-Star consideration. He’s now in the All-NBA conversation.” – Skeets (21:03)

Biggest Surprises & Disappointments

Biggest Surprises:

• Trey: “The Suns are a lot better and more fun than I expected... the vibes are good in Phoenix.” (25:33)
• Tas: Surprised by how bad the Clippers are (26:47).
  • “It’s going to be their first losing season since 2010–2011 if they stay below .500.”
• Skeets: “Even without Fred VanVleet, the Rockets look like a championship contender... I just didn’t see this level.” (31:31)

Clippers Discussion:

• “So bad. Because they’re sitting at 4 and 11. I don’t see where it comes from. They’ve already lost Bradley Beal for the season. Kawhi is in and out...” – Tas (26:59)

Rockets Praise:

• “They have the best offense still. They have this perfect balance—the synergy between Sengun and KD is awesome.” – Skeets (31:31)

Most Underrated Storylines

• Tas: Mavericks tumult doesn’t end with front office shake-up; Cuban is back courtside, and Kyrie could be returning.
  • “It’s not done. Just because they fired a guy doesn’t mean they’ll be terrible.” (33:36)
• Trey: “The West kind of stinks.” Only the top three (OKC, Nuggets, Rockets) look dominant; teams like Clippers, Mavs, Pelicans are struggling. A ‘great slop season’ is coming—lots of big trades on the horizon. (37:15)
• Skeets: De’Aaron Fox leading the Spurs to wins with stars out—“He’s been good and he deserves some flowers.” (39:57)

Quote:

• “Slop season right around the corner... Lamelo might be moved. AD, Ja, Trey, DeMar, Lavine, Sabonis, Zion, Markkanen, Kaminga... it’ll be exciting times.” – Trey (38:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Banter

• “He wants to come down, fly down the court, and just shoot. He’s a polarizing player.” – Skeets on LaMelo Ball (11:53)
• “One of my favorite quotes from Hollinger: ‘He’s basically two different players in one...’” – Skeets on Jalen Duren (21:03)
• “Bradley Beal out, Kawhi in and out, Chris Paul looks old. The Norman Powell–John Collins trade? Not a goodie.” – Tas slamming Clippers moves (26:58)
• “Even without Fred, Rockets look like a championship contender. Sengun and KD at the end of games—it’s awesome.” – Skeets (31:31)
• “The West kind of stinks. We’re gonna have a great slop season.” – Trey (37:15)

Timestamps – Segment Breakdown

• 02:37 – LaMelo Ball trade rumors/opening news
• 13:27 – One month in awards: MVP, MIP, etc.
• 25:29 – Biggest surprises (Suns, Clippers, Rockets)
• 33:36 – Most underrated stories (Mavs, Western Conference)
• 39:57 – Skeets: De’Aaron Fox carrying Spurs
• 41:59 – NBA national viewership up/League Pass improvements banter
• 47:52 – Worst of the Week nominees (delay of game for mopping wins with 46% poll)
• 54:29 – Fantasy Line of the Night: Tyrese Maxey’s 54-point performance
• 59:24 – Rapid Fire (fun, offbeat questions: walkout songs, custom shoe slogans, Steven Adams/LaMelo all-clone lineups)

Other Highlights

Worst of the Week Nominees:

• Delay of game technical foul for slow mopping (Bulls/Jazz) — Winner (53:00)
• Javonte Green wiping sweat on the basketball during free throws
• D'Angelo Russell dribbling out 21 seconds and then dumping the ball

Rapid Fire Fun:

• Favorite walkout song (Eks: “Northern Touch,” “Set it Off” by Strafe)
• Shoe slogans if you had a custom sneaker (Skeets: “Good morning, sweet world”)
• Which player would you choose if your team was all clones? (Trey: "Whoops, all Steven Adams!")
• Would LaMelo be happier if surrounded by a team of LaMelos? (JD: "He has nothing to complain about!")

Peloton Fantasy Line of the Night:

• Tyrese Maxey — 54 points, 9 assists, 5 boards, 6 stocks (blocks + steals), 18/30 FG, 47 minutes (54:29)
• “Put me down for no” — consensus that Maxey won’t average over 40 minutes for the year, but will be close.

Closing Thoughts

• The LaMelo Ball situation is emblematic of NBA modern drama: huge talent, big contract, but serious durability concerns and questions about fit and commitment.
• Jokic and SGA stand atop MVP talk; Jalen Duren is the most improved; Rockets a wild, pleasant surprise.
• Trade season (“slop season”) looms over a Western Conference with many underachievers.
• Memorable for classic No Dunks chemistry, stats deep-dives, and uniquely silly rapid-fire responses.
• “Delay of game for mopping” — possibly the most No Dunks moment of the week.

Useful for New Listeners?

Yes. This summary covers key arguments, debate highlights, best quotes, and the sense of the show’s camaraderie. For a full immersion in NBA talk, fun stats, and classic No Dunks goofiness, this episode delivers.

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• Next episode: Monday, “Winners and Losers of the NBA Weekend”