LaMelo needs to get serious, Pistons are rolling, Ja for Zion?

Welcome to From The Logo, a collection of opinions, analysis, and locker room insights from theScore's lead NBA reporter, Joseph Casciaro.

Get serious, LaMelo

The irony of LaMelo Ball reportedly being open to a trade out of Charlotte is that it's the Hornets who should be frustrated with him, not the other way around. It's hilariously fitting that Ball's reported discontent - which he seemed to deny - leaked a day after he shot 5-of-21 from the field and recorded six turnovers in a loss to the reeling Pacers.

Though the standings don't reflect it, the Hornets have quietly stabilized over the last year or so and seem to have a clear rebuilding vision. Drafting Kon Knueppel (fourth overall) last June was a smart bet, adding to an encouraging crop of youngsters that also includes Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James. If the pingpong balls bounce Charlotte's way ahead of the loaded 2026 draft, the Hornets look well-positioned with a solid core of supporting cast members ready to surround a young franchise star.

That star could've (and should've) been Ball, a lengthy and supremely talented guard with tantalizing upside. Injuries - mostly to Ball's ankles - have slowed his progression, with the 24-year-old appearing in only 44% of Charlotte's games over the last four seasons. That's frustrating enough for a perennial cellar-dweller trying to claw its way to relevance, but Ball can't be faulted for an unfortunate injury history. What he can be faulted for is his immaturity and unseriousness.

You don't have to be plugged in to see it. Watch Ball go through his pregame routine or walk into the Hornets' locker room after another loss, one likely marked by a handful of questionable decisions from him. You'll come across a care-free young man who's pleasant enough to talk to, but one who doesn't seem to grasp the responsibilities of a franchise star. All vibes, no substance.

Is it possible Ball might smarten up as he ages and matures with a fresh start in a new environment? I suppose. But the likelier outcome is that he'll continue to frustrate his biggest supporters while failing to take winning, losing, or anything else very seriously. Oh, and he's owed nearly $131 million over the next three seasons.

At roughly 25% of the salary cap through 2029, that deal could look like a bargain to franchises that squint and still see a superstar waiting to be unleashed. The question becomes, are those teams squinting or just plain blind?

For what it's worth, I could see a moribund club like Sacramento making the move. The Kings could turn multiple picks and some of their veteran money (Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan, for example) into the upside of Ball, while Charlotte would likely add draft capital, another adult in the room, and perhaps another solid youngster (like Keon Ellis).

Shorthanded Pistons rolling

One of the most frequent in-app comments and emailed questions I've received has been about how I'd evaluate the surging Pistons. In short, the first-place club is pretty damn impressive. Detroit has lost the sixth-most games to injury this campaign, but that hasn't slowed its rapid ascent from being historically bad two years ago to a conference leader this season.

Cade Cunningham's efficiency has suffered at times with depleted, mishmash lineups around him, but he's done everything necessary to keep the Pistons afloat (even when that meant missing a record 31 shots in an overtime victory over Washington). Fourth-year center Jalen Duren has been a man possessed on both ends of the court, averaging nearly 21 points and 12 rebounds and anchoring the league's second-best defense. Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson have also helped bolster that defense.

Veteran shooter Duncan Robinson has done his best to make up for the losses of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., while lesser-known players like Javonte Green have contributed. Then there's Daniss Jenkins, an undrafted guard on a two-way contract who's averaging 11.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.5 steals and shooting 52% inside the arc and 45% from deep. Although Detroit could use more shooting, perhaps that's coming in the form of speedy shooting guard Jaden Ivey, who's been sidelined most of the last year after suffering a broken left fibula and then a right knee setback.

No matter who head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has at his disposal on a given night, it's all been coming together for him. And in case you were thinking it's just smoke and mirrors, the 13-2 Pistons have played nine of their 15 games against squads with winning records. They also own the league's fifth-best point differential.

Since the NBA expanded to 30 teams in 2004, 22 teams have won 13 of their first 15 contests. Those clubs averaged 59 wins at the end of the season, with nine of them reaching the Finals. This Pistons team is for real, especially in what appears to be a wide-open Eastern Conference.

Ja for Zion?

This trade proposal came from reader Kensun Nguyen, who wants to see a swap of the top two picks from 2019. My take is that the Grizzlies would hang up the phone.

Though I understand that all parties involved may be looking for a fresh start, my guess is that Memphis would prefer draft capital and a more bankable youngster if it decides to sell low on Morant rather than swapping one headache for another. If that's the best the Grizzlies can do, then they're better off keeping Ja.

For the Pelicans, such a deal might satisfy their goals. Plus, Morant and Williamson are on identical contracts over the next two and a half years (though Williamson must hit certain benchmarks for his to become fully guaranteed). Still, New Orleans doesn't have the organizational structure needed to bring out the best in Morant.

Inside the locker room

What I'm hearing from players and people around the Association.

All-Star indifference: I wrote about the new All-Star format last week, but one former All-Star who didn't get the memo was the aforementioned Ball. The Hornets guard seemed genuinely stunned when asked for his thoughts, admitting he wasn't aware of the change to a USA-versus-the-World mini-tournament. As for what could make him care? "Put me in, boy, and I'll care about it. Other than that ... sheeeiit." Unfortunately for Ball, neither his play nor Charlotte's record will help his case.

How to be a good vet: A few feet away from Ball, new Hornet Collin Sexton was engaged in a much more thoughtful conversation. Still just 26 years old, Sexton is a young veteran on a very green Charlotte team, and he's taking the job seriously. So, what actually makes an all-important good vet or a great locker-room guy? "It's being someone guys can lean on, not just on the court, but off the court," Sexton told me.

"Whether it's about life, family, or professional things like how to take care of your money, I would say being a good vet is just being someone guys can come to about anything, no matter the circumstances or situation. And I feel like that's me. I've had so many life experiences that allow me to have perspective I can give to the younger guys. I know what it feels like to have nothing and to have the highest of highs. I know what it's like to have season-ending injuries, to not play, to have teammates not like me. I can share all that and can show them that no matter what's going on around you, you have to continue to fight, push, and believe in yourself."

As Sexton can attest, being a trusted sounding board on off-court matters makes it easier to have critical, sometimes hard, basketball conversations with teammates on the court.

Player of the Week

Luka Doncic: 34 PPG, 64.9 TS%, 7.0 RPG, 9.3 APG, 3.3 STL + BLK, 3-0 record

I considered Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, Lauri Markkanen, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, and Duren, but Doncic deserves theScore's honor, which takes into account games played since last Friday.

A slimmer Doncic is moving well and looks no worse for wear after missing time with a finger injury. He's been as dazzling as ever on the offensive end while flashing a defensive energy and activity that we've rarely seen from him before (at least in the regular season). Doncic logged 38 minutes per game in his three contests this week, with the Lakers outscoring the Pelicans, Bucks, and Jazz by 65 points when he was on the court. When he rested, they were outscored by 13.

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