In a stunning move, the LA Mad Drops have acquired pickleball GOAT Ben Johns from the Carolina Hogs in a trade plus cash deal.

Trade 1:
Carolina Hogs trade Ben Johns & Etta Tuionetoa to LA Mad Drops for Brandon French (who was claimed on waivers by LA Mad Drops to take the spot of Quang Duong) and Danna Funaro + cash considerations

Trade 2:
LA Mad Drops trade Etta Tuionetoa to Utah Black Diamonds for Mehvish Safdar and cash considerations

Judging by the Hogs’ original investment—the first player draft after the PPA/MLP merger saw Carolina dole out 840,000 draft points for Johns, as well as a $420,000 keeper fee in 2025—it's likely that the Mad Drops spent a significant amount to acquire Johns. This sends a clear message: the Mad Drops are all‑in on contending for a title in 2025.

What prompts a team to give up a player like Johns? The Carolina Hogs may have had several motivations:

• The Hogs may have seen this as an opportunity to recoup major funds rather than keeping Johns on a slipping roster without Championship potential

• The timing makes sense, with the Hogs sitting at 11th place, just outside the 10 teams that will be taken to the playoffs.

• Putting Johns on a winning team is valuable to MLP because of the viewership, fan engagement, and media interest that Johns brings to the League.

• Johns may have requested a trade, seeking a more competitive scenario.

The Mad Drops are led by owner and general manager Zubin Mehta, who is known for his hands-on involvement in the team, as well as renowned coach Athena Trouillot. For the Mad Drops, this trade has likely come about in response to the UPA’s recent termination of Quang Duong’s contract, which had left a significant gap in their lineup. Replacing Duong with a lower‑tier player would’ve harmed the team’s competitive value. Instead, they opted for the marquee solution: Ben Johns. 

Although Johns has struggled to shepherd his team to victory during his time on the Carolina Hogs, he has historically had considerable success with the MLP format, winning a total of four MLP titles to date:

• One in 2021 with the BLQK Bears

• Two in 2023 with the Seattle Pioneers

• One in 2023 with the Chicago Slice

• Note: 2023 utilized the former MLP format, where each of the year’s six events crowned a champion.

New LA Mad Drops Starting Lineup:

• Ben Johns (acquired)

• Catherine Parenteau

• Hunter Johnson

• Jade Kawamoto

• Substitutes: Mehvish Safdar (acquired), Wesley Burrows

• Injured Reserve: Thomas Wilson

Currently holding down 6th place in the standings, the Mad Drops’ addition of Johns elevates them to legitimate championship contenders. They now boast two all-star mixed‑doubles pairs (we would expect to see Johns partner up with Parenteau, whom he is very familiar with, and Johnson/Kawamoto to continue competing together). On the gender doubles side, Parenteau and Kawamoto have already been shown to play very well together and Johns/Johnson should make a formidable duo. Johns, Johnson, and Parenteau are also renowned singles players – arguably three of the best in the world.

You can catch the Mad Drops debuting their new powerhouse roster for the first time ever at MLP Dallas next week:

🔗 Buy tickets for MLP Dallas

UTAH BLACK DIAMONDS

The other trade of note sent Etta Tuionetoa to the Utah Black Diamonds. This marks the first time the Black Diamonds have spent significant cash on a player acquisition and is likely a strategic investment that should push them comfortably into playoff position (they are currently sitting at 9th place in the Premier standings).

Utah’s revamped lineup now features:

• Connor Garnett

• Tyler Loong

• Etta Tuionetoa (acquired)

• Allyce Jones

• Substitutes: Genie Erokina, Yates Johnson

Notably, four of their starters—Garnett, Loong, Jones, and now, Tuionetoa—are Utah‑based, enhancing their overall team cohesion, practice convenience, and chemistry. This is also a timely trade for the Black Diamond as they look ahead to hosting one of the last MLP regular season events from July 31–August 3.

🔗 Buy tickets for MLP Salt Lake City

With the addition of Tuionetoa, this team shouldn’t be underestimated, especially when playing in their home market.

CAROLINA HOGS

Sitting in 11th place, the Carolina Hogs remain outside the top‑10 and will likely miss the playoff cut. Their roster now includes:

• Roscoe Bellamy

• Brandon French (acquired)

• Tammy Emmrich

• Liz Truluck

• Substitutes: Martin Emmrich, Danna Funaro (acquired)

With Johns and Tuionetoa gone, the Hogs appear to be retooling for a full reconstruction of their roster and renewed success in 2026.

THE REST OF THE FIELD

The Dallas Flash (15-1) have been sweeping the table in competition in 2025, winning the MLP Championship last year and the MLP Midseason tournament last week. They were formerly the only team with a perfect record, but were dealt their first loss of the season on Saturday by the Columbus Sliders. Johns joining the Mad Drops all-star roster could mean a thrilling and unexpected title chase as we move into the playoffs.