Hornets predicted to have just one Top 100 player in 2023-24
When it comes to the Charlotte Hornets, there are not many NBA analysts high on the team. This is an organization that is coming off a disastrous 2022-23 campaign, riddled with injuries and overall disappointing play. With that in mind, only having one entry in a recently published list predicting the Top 100 players for the upcoming season is not exactly a surprise.
Representing the Charlotte Hornets in a recently published list appearing in Bleacher Report is LaMelo Ball. Ball is the one and only real candidate to make this type of list as things currently stand for Charlotte.
"“Ball, 22, is still very young and has a lot to learn, but a lot of what he can already do can’t be taught. He’s a bit wild and unpredictable, which is both a strength and a weakness. He needs to grow as a defender, though the front office may try to build around Ball with defensive-minded players who can shoot and finish. That he’s 6’7″ gives him potential on that end of the floor, unlike smaller guards who get targeted (especially in the playoffs).”"
The concern about Ball’s defense is very real. Ball has never been a plus defender, and it is unlikely that this will change any time soon. As noted above, Charlotte’s best path forward to negate this deficiency may be to surround Ball with as many positive defenders as reasonably possible. Of course, Ball will need help on the offensive end of the floor, as it would be a foolish endeavor to bank on all of their offensive production coming from only him. The Hornets need to take the scoring burden off of him and hopefully, they accomplished exactly that by drafting Brandon Miller and retaining the services of Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington.
This is a very important year for the Hornets organization and Ball. The youngest and most talented Ball brother needs to show that he can be healthy throughout an entire season and improve his overall efficiency in the final year before his massive contract extension kicks in. A bounce-back year from Ball would help provide some clarity to what is still an uncertain future for the franchise.
