The Athletic NBA Daily — "LaMelo Ball Wants Out of Charlotte"

Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Dave Dufour, [NBA Analyst 1], Josh Robbins (Orlando/Wizards beat), with mention of Andrew Schlecht

Overview

This episode dives into breaking news and analysis around LaMelo Ball’s apparent desire to leave the Charlotte Hornets and the organization’s shifting direction. Hosts also discuss the current NBA injury situation, Tyrese Maxey’s breakout performance, and take a deep dive with Josh Robbins into the Orlando Magic’s recent development — with a side-eye to the Clippers' struggles and a look ahead to an intriguing Wizards/Raptors NBA Cup game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. LaMelo Ball’s Uncertainty in Charlotte

[03:14–09:56]

• Breaking News:

  • Kelly Iko (Yahoo! Sports) reports LaMelo Ball may want out of Charlotte.
  • Ball recently benched, currently having career low shooting numbers, and is no longer the obvious centerpiece amidst a rising young Hornets core.

• Charlotte’s Perspective:

  • “It’s all new people in there … They didn’t make the pick. They didn’t own the team even when the pick was made. So you’re not married to it.” – Dave Dufour (05:08)
  • The Hornets are reportedly exploring options, not rushing to trade but "open to the conversation" since their young core (led by Con Canopy, Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Brandon Miller) is already developing without LaMelo as the focus.

• LaMelo’s Trade Value:

  • Availability is a major concern; frequent injuries and decision-making issues.
  • “It’s a little bit like Ja [Morant], right? … He doesn’t play enough.” – Dave Dufour (06:19)
  • Analyst queries if anyone would actually want LaMelo, given similar 'distressed asset' vibes to Zion Williamson.

• CBA Impact:

  • The new collective bargaining agreement and draft stack make it less attractive to spend assets for a borderline star.
  • “Trading tons of picks for that guy … isn’t as clear-cut as it was maybe four or five years ago.” – NBA Analyst 1 (07:16)

• Player Archetype Challenge:

  • “He’s an incredible creator, but can you work within a system?” – NBA Analyst 1 (09:01)
  • Teams would need a strong system/culture to 'harness' LaMelo's talents.

• Notable Story:

  • Timberwolves once asked LaMelo what he wanted to do after basketball; he said, “President of the United States.” – relayed by Dave Dufour via John Krasinski (09:25)

2. NBA Injuries and Depth Crisis

[10:02–13:31]

• Current Landscape:

  • Multiple stars (Kawhi, Paolo Banchero, Sabonis, Ja Morant, Embiid, Giannis, Trae Young, Wembanyama) out due to injury.
  • “Every single night we’re getting some new guy that just steps up and does something.” – Dave Dufour (11:10)
  • The NBA’s soft tissue “load” problem is spotlighted; conversation pivots to players repeatedly overworked in a compressed schedule.

• League-wide Impact:

  • “There is a clear solution, but there’s no willingness by anybody to actually change this.” – NBA Analyst 1, referencing reducing games (11:10).

3. Tyrese Maxey’s MVP-Candidate Leap

[11:40–13:31]

• Maxey’s Heroics:
  • 54 points, 9 assists over 47 minutes in Sixers win — carrying unprecedented two-way load amid Embiid absence.
  • “He is just with the … numbers that he’s putting up, which are prodigious … he is their most important player.” – Dave Dufour (12:11)
  • Hosts compare Maxey’s relentless playstyle to Allen Iverson, noting he’s becoming a favorite for his all-out effort.

4. Orlando Magic Trend Up; Team Chemistry & Fit

[17:32–25:29]

• Recent Success:

  • Magic won 5 of 6, including a blowout of the Clippers, despite Paolo Banchero’s injury.
  • “They’re starting to figure out how to play with this pace off of misses and when not to run.” – Josh Robbins (17:57)

• Paolo Banchero’s Fit:

  • Key question: Can Magic maintain their pace-led success when Paolo (a power-oriented player) returns?
  • “Power and pace complement each other very well on a well-rounded basketball team.” – Dave Dufour (18:53)
  • Magic currently lack a traditional point guard; their real offensive creators are 6’10” forwards Franz Wagner and Paolo, similar to Boston’s creator-by-committee style.

• Ball Movement vs. Usage:

  • Desmond Bane’s addition provides needed shooting and playmaking — but balancing touches between Bane, Franz, and Paolo is an ongoing challenge.

• Shooting, Spacing, & Depth Issues:

  • Not enough reliable three-point shooting in crunch time: “Shooting is your spacing … They only guard you if they believe.” – Josh Robbins (25:07)

• Potential Solutions:

  • Goga Bitadze’s passing and theoretical shooting; Mo Wagner’s upcoming return and his surprise status as last season’s best Magic shooter (36% 3PT).
  • “Maybe that’s a trade opportunity … [they] can improve, whether it be more ball handling, whether it be … more shooting that we’ve talked about.” – NBA Analyst 1 (27:02)

• Trade Deadline Outlook:

  • Contrary to common belief, the Magic do inquire at trade deadlines and could aim to add rotation-level upgrades before the playoffs (28:11).

5. Quick Clippers Check-In

[29:52–32:24]

• On the Struggle Bus:
  • Losers of three straight; injuries to Kawhi and Beal (out for the year) magnify their old, thin rotation.
  • “That was a bad performance … Harden looked really good … but where else is the offense?” – Josh Robbins (30:10)
  • 21 turnovers cited as the main culprit (32:14).
  • “Being old is really starting to show on the Clippers.” – Dave Dufour (31:43)

6. Wizards Preview // Young Player Development

[32:28–34:49]

• Mini-Preview, Raptors vs. Wizards:

  • Toronto heavily favored, but hosts note intriguing Washington players:
    • “Alex Sarr is much improved … shot diet has completely changed … Keyshawn George … [and] Trey Johnson gives them hope.” – Josh Robbins (33:16–33:37)
  • Wizards building for the future, recent high picks showing promise, but in need of continued lottery luck to find a star.

• Fun Fact:

  • Sarr’s numbers in his second season are “pretty favorable” compared to Evan Mobley, per Dave Dufour (34:35).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LaMelo’s Value:
  • “As amazing of a talent as he is and creative, he also sometimes does some of the dumbest stuff you’ve ever seen on a basketball court.” – Dave Dufour (06:56)
• On the CBA’s Impact:
  • “Teams are a lot more hesitant to go after that star who’s not necessarily a star.” – NBA Analyst 1 (07:16)
• On Tyrese Maxey:
  • “He just puts it all out on the floor. He’s relentless … he’s an all-NBA guard now.” – NBA Analyst 1 (12:49)
• On the Orlando Magic’s Shooting Limitations:
  • “Come playoff time, you need more than two capable three-point shooters out there.” – Josh Robbins (25:29)
• On Clippers' Age & Offense:
  • “They’re a one trick pony. It’s James Harden … if there’s nothing there, nothing else.” – Dave Dufour (31:43)
• On Magic Trade Outlook:
  • “There’s no such thing as a marginal move if it makes you better.” – NBA Analyst 1 (28:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:14] — LaMelo Ball wants out of Charlotte: breaking the news & context.
• [04:49] — Hornets’ openness to trading LaMelo; young core rising.
• [06:19] — LaMelo’s availability & comparison to other ‘distressed’ young stars.
• [07:16] — Changing CBA and trade calculus for non-superstar 'stars'.
• [10:02] — State of NBA injuries and schedule demands.
• [11:40] — Tyrese Maxey’s big night and larger leap.
• [17:32] — Deep Magic talk after big win in Orlando.
• [19:24] — Balancing Paolo's power game with team pace.
• [25:07] — The importance of shooting for Orlando’s playoff potential.
• [27:35] — Magic’s potential at the trade deadline.
• [29:52] — Clippers postmortem after blowout loss.
• [32:28] — Wizards young core preview for NBA Cup.
• [34:49] — Sarr/Mobley stat comparison; closing thanks and sign-off.

Summary

This episode serves hoops aficionados a fast-paced but deep tour through one of the NBA's juiciest developing stories — LaMelo Ball's potential break with Charlotte and what it means for both team and league. The situation is emblematic of shifting organizational priorities and the realities of asset management in the new CBA era. Meanwhile, the frontlines of the league are battered by injuries but producing unexpected breakout stories (namely Tyrese Maxey's leap).

Guest Josh Robbins adds layers with an inside look at how the Orlando Magic are negotiating lineup-gelling, pacing vs. power, and the ever-pressing sharpshooting deficiency, while the Clippers' grim outlook is dissected in real time.

For NBA fans wanting to keep up on trade winds, young talent, and the constantly shifting NBA landscape, this episode captures the pulse.