Charlotte Hornets grade out mostly average in position-by-position ranking

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 29: LaMelo Ball #1 and P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets react following a basket during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Spectrum Center on December 29, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 29: LaMelo Ball #1 and P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets react following a basket during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Spectrum Center on December 29, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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Pretty average. That is how it appears that the Charlotte Hornets’ position groups grade out when compared to the rest of the NBA in a recent ranking appearing in The Athletic (subscription required). Author Law Murray ranked the position groups of every NBA team as things stand currently, and the Hornets are mostly in the middle of the pack, with the exception of one position group.

Murray notes that the ranking is based on a team’s overall strength of a position group with the starter being “the primary source of evaluation” for a group, with the bench group also being considered somewhat. Criteria used for these rankings include Basketball (their ability in non-shooting aspects of the game), Availability, Depth of position group, Career, and Morale (wanting to be on a specific team).

Point Guard: 15

LaMelo Ball is the player highlighted by Murray here for the Hornets. Ball is a good player, but it is clear why he is not higher on this list. Non-shooting areas such as defense and shooting efficiency were rough for Ball last season, making it difficult to justify being higher on this list. Then there is the whole availability aspect of it all. Ball has missed quite a bit of time in his career, including most of last season.

Shooting Guard: 15

Another Hornets position group and another ranking of 15. As expected, Terry Rozier is the player mentioned in the grid by Murray. Charlotte’s shooting guard group is not anything really to write home about as currently constructed, and their middle-of-the-pack ranking appears to be carried by the presence of Rozier.