Huge trades in Trade Window #2

While MLP St. Louis raged on this weekend, massive trade news came across the wire: Ben Johns was sent to LA Mad Drops, along with Etta Tuionetoa (who had just been traded from Texas Ranchers 3 weeks earlier).

This has HUGE implications for the rest of the season, where the teams hovering around the playoff cutoff line are very neck-and-neck. But more on that later.

First, we need to back up a bit. Here’s everything that’s happened over the last week, in timeline order:

• July 16th, last day of the trading window: NJ 5s trade Craig Johnson (3rd male) for Miami’s Noe Khlif + cash. Zane posted a reaction video, saying Noe is expected to take his place in the starting lineup.

• The league quietly announces an extension of the trade deadline to Monday, July 21st.

• Carolina Hogs trade Ben & Etta to the LA Mad Drops for Brandon French (claimed from free agency by LA to replace fired Quang Duong), Danna Funaro + cash.

• Mad Drops then immediately traded Etta to Utah Black Diamonds for Mehvish Safdar + cash.

• The Hogs aren’t finished cleaning house…

• On Sunday, the Hogs traded Roscoe Bellamy to the Dallas Flash for Ivan Jakovljevic + cash.

• The Flash then acquire Samantha Parker from Orlando Squeeze for Tatiana Ruhl + cash.

• Tatiana (+ cash) is then sent to Miami by the Squeeze, for Milan Rane.

• Michelle Esquivel was placed on Injured Reserve; Nashville Chefs pick up Chloe Igleski from free agency.

• Miami PBC acquires Martin & Tammy Emmrich from the Hogs, for Craig Johnson & Ava Ignatowich + cash.

• Nashville Chefs trade Chloe Igleski (+ cash) to Utah Black Diamonds for Genie Erokhina.

• DC picks up Rafa Hewett after placing Stefan Auvergne on IR.

• Cali Black Bears send Juan Benitez (+ cash) to Miami PBC for Martin Emmrich.

Here’s how all the involved teams look after the trades (bolded are new):

Orlando Squeeze: Staksrud, Frazier, Grayson Goldin, Tom Evans (still on inactive list due to visa issues), Schneeman, Milan Rane, Alli Phillips.

Dallas Flash: Johnson, Johnson, Ge, Black, Roscoe Bellamy, Sam Parker.

Carolina Hogs: Craig Johnson, Brandon French, Ivan Jakovljevic,  Danna Funaro, Liz Truluck, Ava Ignatowich.

Miami PBC: Devilliers, Juan Benitez, Funemizu, T. Emmrich, Bui, Tatiana Ruhl.

NJ 5s: Howells, Noe Khlif, Navratil, Waters, Humberg, Dizon.

Utah Black Diamonds: Loong, Garnett, Y. Johnson, Jones, Etta Tuionetoa, Chloe Igleski.

LA Mad Drops: H. Johnson, B. Johns, Wes Burrows, T. Wilson (IR), Parenteau, Jade Kawamoto, Mehvish Safdar.

Nashville Chefs: Brown, Scarpa, Erokhina, Radzikowska.

California Black Bears: Loyd, M. Emmrich, Padegimaite, Sleeth.

DC Pickleball Team: Hewett, De La Rosa, Koop, Gecheva.

What are the Carolina Hogs doing?

There’s a LOT to unpack in these trades, but the biggest question hovers around the Hogs’ strategy. Owned by UPA owner, Tom Dundon, it’s a head-scratcher as to why he’d offload his most valuable assets, followed by… all of his assets.

Then again, is it so confusing? Demonstrated by his general lack of involvement in his team (no merch, no coach or GM, seemingly no strategy, no travel or onsite support) and his star player’s season-long apathy, it actually makes total sense. But, why now? If he already wasn’t interested in dominating the league, why spend so much on Ben in the first place? Why wait until the near-end of the season to make such drastic changes?

Some of these questions may never be fully answered, but the storyline around this is sure to shape up and make more sense as the MLP season comes to a close. But perhaps the happy ending is for Ben: he gets to play on a team that is itching to win.

We’ll be discussing this all on this week’s pod, so head over to YouTube to subscribe and be notified when the new episode drops!

What trades mean for everyone else…

So many of these moves signal one of two things: a team’s ready to pack it in and prepare for next year, or they’re on the cusp of the playoffs and are stacking their team to secure their spot.

After back-to-back seasons with streaks of bad luck, it seems the LA Mad Drops are pulling out all the stops to solidify their team’s dominance. After losing Thomas Wilson to long-term injury in 2024 and 2025, they battled with various subs to cover him and QD after his suspension and subsequent termination this year. Grabbing Ben Johns (at whatever cost) locks in that secondary male player, and they look downright scary alongside Parenteau and Jade Kawamoto. They have 6 remaining matches; at sixth place, they’re close to a lock for playoffs. They’re clearly looking for a win in finals.

Miami appear to be stockpiling some cash to prepare for next year. They haven’t had a headline-making season thus far, and sitting in the 10th spot currently with 5 matches to play, maybe they’re just not feeling confident they’ll make it to playoffs. And even if they did, it’s not likely they’d land in the top 3 to win prize money. So, might as well strike while the trade iron is hot, right?

Utah Black Diamonds are 9th in current standings, and just leveled up their team on the women’s side with the pickup of Etta. And now with an all-Utah team, the Salt Lake City event is sure to be an electrifying home-crowd experience. This should give them the energy boost they need to lock in their spot in the playoffs.

What kicked off this series of events was the NJ Fives, who are clearly out to win the whole thing. It can’t be sitting well with Anna Leigh that they lost in playoffs last year, and at the Mid-season Tournament this year, and can’t quite seem to conquer top teams Flash and Shock. They’ve already made a move on the women’s side, and now look to square up the men’s side to give them an edge. Is Noe it? Time will tell. They have 10 matches left, second highest only to the Ranchers with 11 remaining.

The Chicago Slice didn’t make any trades, but they may get a second-hand benefit. Currently at #12, with Miami and Carolina ahead of them, they could slip into the #10 spot with Miami and Carolina seeming to give up on their season. Miami has 5 matches left of the season, while Chicago and Carolina both have 6. The Slice looked really good in St. Louis, taking both the Shock and the Flash to a Dreambreaker.

If you’re attending MLP Dallas, be sure to secure your tickets today, using code KOTC!

PLAYOFFS - Mark your calendar

There are 2 more MLP events before the playoffs. Click to buy your tickets (and use KOTC at checkout)

Dallas: July 24-27

Salt Lake City: July 31 - Aug 3

Coming up in less than 3 weeks, is PickleCon, taking place in Kansas City, MO from August 8-10.

PickleCon is an “all-inclusive, all-encompassing pickleball experience for everyone with a desire or curiosity for the sport.” This annual event features speakers & panel discussions, tournament & open play, a Celebrity Pickleball Bash, vendors, giveaways, and more!

Register here for your access or player pass, and don’t miss some of our most anticipated events, like puppy yoga and the glow-in-the-dark kickoff part!

Episode 153:

Recap of MLP Mid-Season Tournament + discussion of Quang Duong’s suspension, plus fan Q&A

PLUS - catch our interview with Kelsea Thompson of PickleCon!