Historic MLP Trade Sends Ben Johns to LA

In what’s being called the biggest player move in Major League Pickleball history, Ben Johns was traded Saturday from the Carolina Hogs to the LA Mad Drops.

This one deal, following the recent league ban of former LA Mad Drop player Quang Duong, upends the entire MLP season and paints the playoff picture in a whole new light.

It’s also got some questioning whether it should have been allowed at all.

How this went down

Without notice, MLP announced Wednesday that the trade deadline would be pushed from 10pm that night to Monday, “to allow teams to strategize around recently shared league operations updates.”

On Saturday, The Hogs took full advantage, ultimately sending Etta Tuionetoa, recently acquired by the Carolina Hogs, over to the Utah Black Diamonds, and dealing Ben over to the LA Mad Drops.

This now pairs Ben trade with Hunter Johnson in doubles and either Catherine Parenteau or Jade Kawamoto in mixed.

The LA Mad Drops now skyrocket in the playoff race, with one of the best top-to-bottom starting rosters in the league.

The full trade

Move #1

• LA adds Brandon French to fill open roster spot

Trade #1

• LA acquires Ben Johns and Etta Tuionetoa from CAR
• CAR acquires French, Danna Funaro and cash considerations from LA

Trade #2

• UTA acquires Etta Tuionetoa from LA
• LA acquires Mehvish Safdar and cash considerations from UTA

What this means for MLP

This one is a jaw-dropper any way you look at it.

New Jersey 5s captain Zane Navratil said it can be good for spectator interest to have what he calls “MLP’s first-ever super team,” but concedes “it’s a trade that probably never should have happened.”

Ross Chaifetz, owner/GM of the now #1 ranked St. Louis Shock, wasn’t quite so diplomatic: “Let’s call this trade what it is. Orchestrated collusion.” He later walked it back a bit:

This weekend, MLP heads to Dallas, and the new-look LA Mad Drops will be in action, including a matchup against the Shock, 5s, and now-depleted Hogs.

Watch Zane's full breakdown of the Ben trade, below:

Feature images via MLP