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Charlotte Hornets: Way-Too-Early 2021-22 Starting Lineup Prediction

By Shawn Simmons

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 01: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets warms up before their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 01, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 01: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets warms up before their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 01, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 09: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots in the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 09, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 09: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots in the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 09, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

LaMelo Ball is the Hornets’ franchise star but will Charlotte commit to Terry Rozier long-term?

Let’s just go ahead and put LaMelo Ball‘s name as the starting point guard for the Charlotte Hornets for the next 12-15 years. Who’s Sharpie marker can I use to write that down?

The Hornets got draft lottery lucky last offseason moving up to the third pick, destined to pick whoever remained from the trio of Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman. After Edwards and Wiseman went first and second overall, the Hornets selected Ball with the third overall pick and it has been magic ever since.

In 41 games this season, Ball averaged 15.9 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. He connected on 45.1% of his field goals and 37.5% of his three-point attempts.

Despite Ball possibly missing the remainder of the season with a broken wrist, he should win the league’s Rookie of the Year Award. Ball would be the first Hornets player to win the award since Emeka Okafor after the 2004-05 season.

At the other guard position, Terry Rozier is the guy. Whether that means the Hornets’ commit to Rozier past next season remains to be seen, but at the very least, there’s no question who should start in the backcourt with Ball to begin next season.

Rozier had a career season coming over from the Boston Celtics after the 2018-19 season. This season, he has continued that upward trajectory, improving across the board, and is arguably Charlotte’s most valuable player. Through 49 games this season, Rozier is averaging 20.3 points (leads the team; career-high), 4.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, shooting 46.4% from the field and 40.4% from three.

The Hornets have more pressing needs to address during the offseason but Rozier has definitely made the case over the last season and a half why he deserves to share the backcourt with Ball for a long time.

2021-22 Starting Backcourt: PG LaMelo Ball; SG Terry Rozier

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