Who is the Charlotte Hornets’ MVP so far this season?

The Charlotte Hornets are off to a surprising 13-win start in their first 28 games. The franchise has been reenergized with the free-agent signing of Gordon Hayward, the luck of the draft lottery, and the subsequent selection of rookie sensation LaMelo Ball. While Hayward and Ball have been big reasons associated with the early successes the Hornets have had this season, another player is the team’s most valuable player through the first two months of the season, Terry Rozier.

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When the Hornets lost former All-Star and franchise player Kemba Walker to the Boston Celtics in free agency, the team quickly moved to replace him by signed Rozier to a 3-year, $56.7 million contract; another big contract the Hornets committed to a player that NBA fans and media felt was too large.

Rozier, however, proved his worth with his play last season averaging career-highs across multiple statistical categories. What was most impressive was his shooting ability. The Hornets were criticized for replacing Walker with a guard who through four seasons was a 35.5% field goal shooter. Rozier responded by shooting 42.3% from the field and 40.7% from three. Rozier and then second-year guard Devonte’ Graham were the Hornets’ offensive; Rozier was second on the team in scoring averaging 18 points per game while Graham edged him out for the lead at 18.2 points per game.

Coming into his second year with the Hornets, Rozier knew that he couldn’t approach it like the new guy again. He recognized the need for him to step up more as a vocal leader of the team and continuing to display the hard work he puts into his development and preparation as well as the team plan. Watching the Hornets on a nightly basis, when Rozier is on the court and on the sidelines, observers can tell how much the team depends on him.

When the Hornets drafted Ball, speculation went rampant on how much longer Rozier would be a member of the team with three point guards. With his performance this season, it is hard to imagine Rozier not being part of the Hornets’ long-term future.

The only places where Rozier has slipped in production are assists, free throw attempts, and free throw percentage. I attribute this completely to Rozier not having the ball in his hands as much as he did last season with the additions of Hayward and Ball. While Rozier still attacks the paint, he’s primarily been a shot and catch-and-shoot player on offense.

Rozier is shooting the ball more and his shot continues to improve. Building on last season, in the 26 games he’s played so far this season, Rozier is averaging career highs in points per game (20.6), field goal percentage (49%), and three-point field goal percentage (44.5%).

Rozier has been spectacular in the Hornets’ last three games. He has averaged 36 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 61.3% from the field and 53.3% from three.

Where would the Hornets be this season without Rozier? I don’t want to know the answer to that question. Sure the additions of Hayward and Ball have had a big impact on what the Hornets have been able to accomplish so far this season, but take Rozier’s all-around impact on this team out of the equation, the Hornets would be in a much more dire place than they are today.