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Major League Pickleball has never seen a shakeup quite like this. The LA Mad Drops’ trade for Ben Johns, widely regarded as the top player in the sport, instantly rewrites the playoff picture. It’s not just the biggest move in league history, it’s a bold bet by a contender that could ripple throughout the sport for years.
The deal reshuffles lineups and forces teams across the league to rethink their own playoff strategies. Let’s break down how Ben Johns’ journey from the Carolina Hogs to the Mad Drops (with help from the Utah Black Diamonds) could set up one of the most exciting playoff runs Major League Pickleball fans have witnessed.
The LA Mad Drops, owned by Zubin Mehta and guided by standout coach Athena Trouillot, didn’t just tinker with their roster—they flipped the script. Faced with a key opening after the UPA ended Quang Duong’s contract, the team went all-in to land Johns.
Johns joins a squad that’s hungry for a title and willing to pay for it. His move didn’t happen in a vacuum. The swap also included up-and-coming talents, cash, and a clever interplay of roster needs and playoff ambitions for all three teams involved.
For the Mad Drops, settling for a second-tier replacement at Duong’s spot wouldn’t do. Securing pickleball’s biggest name signals “championship or bust” for 2025.
The Carolina Hogs, now out of the playoff chase, chose to rebuild—recouping talent and much-needed funds after going all-in on Johns during the earlier draft. The Utah Black Diamonds, meanwhile, saw a chance to add power and local flavor for a push into the postseason.
This deal happened in two fast-moving waves:
First Trade:
Second Trade:
Draft points and salary management shaped the talks. The Hogs had invested heavily in Johns—840,000 draft points and a $420,000 keeper fee set for next year—but sitting outside playoff position, they saw more value in a future-focused rebuild.
The Mad Drops used roster maneuvering and the cash freed by Duong’s exit to fund the bold move, proving that savvy front-office management matters as much as on-court skill.
The new LA Mad Drops roster reads like an all-star lineup:
With two of the world’s best singles and mixed doubles players in Johns and Parenteau, the Mad Drops get elite pairings in every format. Johns and Parenteau are expected to team up in mixed doubles, while Johnson and Kawamoto continue to provide stability and strength.
The Utah Black Diamonds also get a big boost. Etta Tuionetoa, plus locals Connor Garnett, Tyler Loong and Allyce Jones, deepen their lineup and sharpen their on-court chemistry. With four Utah-based starters, the Black Diamonds improve their practice and team unity as they eye their own shot at a playoff breakthrough.
The Hogs, meanwhile, pivot to a rebuilt squad centered around Roscoe Bellamy and new faces Brandon French and Danna Funaro, prepping for a longer-term rebuild.
This trade doesn’t only shift players on a chessboard—it stirs up the entire league’s power structure. The playoff race heats up, with matchups getting more unpredictable and fan interest surging.
The Mad Drops, who held 6th place before the trade, now feel like the league’s new Goliath when it comes to playoff potential. Adding someone with Johns’ winning reputation (he’s brought home four MLP titles across three teams) instantly tips scales and sparks fresh rivalries.
The Dallas Flash, last year’s champions, are still the team to beat. But with their perfect season snapped by the Columbus Sliders and the Mad Drops’ new firepower, the road to the title feels wide open.
With three elite singles players (Johns, Johnson, and Parenteau) plus one of the league’s best mixed doubles teams, the Mad Drops now stand toe-to-toe with the Dallas Flash and other top seeds. Every playoff opponent must account for Johns’ clutch play and Parenteau's consistency.
The Mad Drops’ new lineup offers flexibility:
Their balanced roster adds explosive offensive options and tightens defensive gaps, giving the Mad Drops every tool to challenge for a championship. Expect their upcoming debut at MLP Dallas to draw huge crowds and major buzz.
The Carolina Hogs, sitting in 14th place, used this moment to reset. Trading Johns gives them a chance to rebuild with younger, more affordable talent and reload for 2026. They’re betting on patience and smart resource management over one last, desperate playoff push.
For the Utah Black Diamonds, adding Tuionetoa could be the missing piece. They currently sit 9th in the Premier standings, but this move bolsters team chemistry and adds depth. With multiple Utah-based starters, the Black Diamonds’ home-court advantage at upcoming Major League Pickleball events in Salt Lake City becomes even more significant. Stronger performance could drive up fan support and boost playoff energy in their own backyard.
The Ben Johns trade isn’t just another roster move—it’s a thunderclap that’s shaking up Major League Pickleball. As teams reload, adjust their lineups, and set sights on the playoffs, fans can expect higher stakes and tighter matchups.
The Mad Drops’ bold investment instantly makes them favorites to disrupt the Dallas Flash’s dominance. The Hogs and Black Diamonds, each with their own strategies and new faces, bring fresh intrigue into the playoff hunt.
With key MLP events right around the corner, excitement is building at every level. If you want to see the payoff from this blockbuster trade, follow the action live or grab tickets for the next Major League Pickleball stop. One thing’s certain: the race to the championship just got a lot more interesting.