The Toronto Raptors are winning early, but one issue remains unsolved: they still lack a true long-term answer at point guard. That’s why a new trade concept from FanSided Senior NBA Expert Josh Cornelissen has sparked fresh discussion. His proposal sends Charlotte Hornets All-Star LaMelo Ball to a Raptors team that could realistically contend in the Eastern Conference as soon as this season. Why Toronto Is Being Positioned as a LaMelo Landing Spot Toronto’s early-season formula is working. Brandon Ingram is settling into rhythm, Scottie Barnes has taken a clear leap, and the supporting cast is producing efficiently. Yet point guard continues to feel unsettled. Immanuel Quickley has been solid, but he hasn’t delivered the full-scale command Toronto envisioned when it committed major money to him in restricted free agency. Ball offers a different kind of ceiling. He became an All-Star at 20, and his presence instantly elevates Charlotte’s offense when he is healthy. His transition passing, deep-range shooting volume, and ability to distort coverage all remain elite traits. The concerns are just as significant. Ball has missed large portions of multiple seasons with ankle issues, and his defensive engagement shifts from game to game. Still, Toronto has a history of exploring high-upside swings. Rumored pursuits of Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis reflected that mindset. Ball fits the same mold: a gifted offensive engine with real risk attached. Breaking Down the Proposed Trade Package Here is the full construction of Cornelissen’s idea: Toronto receives: • LaMelo Ball Charlotte receives: • Immanuel Quickley • Gradey Dick • 2028 top-10 protected first-round pick Quickley’s $32. 5 million salary makes the financials simple. Dick adds young shooting depth, and the first-round pick gives Charlotte another asset to support its growing core built around Brandon Miller and rookie standout Kon Knueppel. From Charlotte’s perspective, Quickley fits cleanly next to Miller. He defends better at the point of attack, plays comfortably off the ball, and brings a steadier presence. Dick provides spacing and developmental upside. The protected pick adds flexibility at the exact moment the Hornets hope to restart their climb back toward the playoff picture. For Toronto, the calculus shifts toward ceiling. Ball allows Barnes to operate in a more natural role as a hybrid creator, gives Ingram a dynamic pick-and-roll partner, and injects the offense with high-octane playmaking. The Raptors would consolidate overlapping talent, sharpen their identity, and bet big on star power. The injury question is the concern that hovers over the entire concept. Ball has more than $130 million remaining on his contract over the next three seasons after this one, and any prolonged absence would stall Toronto’s momentum. Is This the Right Gamble for a Rising Raptors Team? This isn’t a safe move. It’s a deliberate gamble on talent, timing, and upside. But the Raptors sit in a unique position: competitive enough to justify an aggressive swing, yet still searching for a long-term direction that goes beyond solid-but-unspectacular play. Ball checks the box Toronto has lacked since its championship core began to age, a true offensive engine who can tilt a game with creativity and pace. The downside remains substantial, but so does the reward. Behind Boston, the East is wide open, and Toronto has every incentive to explore a move that pushes them closer to the conference’s top tier. If the Raptors decide they’re comfortable with the risk, Cornelissen’s proposal is exactly the kind of trade that fits their track record.
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