Hornets: Ceiling of LaMelo Ball ranked against rest of draft class
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is an immensely talented player and is clearly one of the bright young stars of the league. Selected by Charlotte with the number three overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Hornets benefitted from a big-time whiff by Golden State with the number two selection (James Wiseman). While it is clear that the Hornets made out quite well in the 2020 draft, where does the ceiling of Ball rank when compared to the rest of his draft class?
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey put together a list ranking the highest ceilings of the 2020 NBA Draft, and Ball finds himself in the top five, just behind Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards at third overall.
"“If it wasn’t for the persistent injuries that have limited LaMelo Ball to 54 games per season, he’d have an argument for the No. 2 spot on this list (and maybe even higher). If that kind of playmaking was all Ball brought to the table, he’d still be a more-than-intriguing 22-year-old, but he’s already ahead of schedule as a shooter and scorer too. Over the last two seasons, he’s averaged 21.1 points and 3.3 threes, while shooting 38.4 percent from deep.”"
The concerns about injuries are valid. Some say that the best ability is availability, and that is an area that Ball has consistently been lacking. If Ball can find a way to stay healthy, it could do wonders. Not only for himself but for the entire Hornets organization. Having a star-caliber player on the court as much as possible will help in the win-loss department, as well as improve the play of his teammates.
The sky is the limit for Ball, and an argument can be made for him to be higher on a list like this in the near future. Ball just needs to stay healthy and find a way to take the leap from star to superstar that most believe he is capable of.
