LaMelo Ball and his injuries.
It is a topic of discussion that has been going on for plenty of seasons already, and some have thought it would stop being as frequent as it is today. The biggest injury concern of Ball has been his ankles. He has taken inspiration from fellow NBA star Stephen Curry to wear ankle braces to prevent any more injury.
Unfortunately, on Monday, Jan. 27, another ankle mishap occurred. Ball fell down, stepping on Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt's foot while strolling backward following a made 3-pointer. The 23-year-old was then pulled out of the game and did not return.
Per Fox Sports, Ball has suffered an injury 16 different times — seven have been listed as ankle (the latest report is listed as leg, but we all know it's an ankle problem.)
Will Ball ever have a healthy season? Is it possible for Charlotte's front office to trust him to be the franchise player hoped for? It's hard to say because injuries can happen at any given moment, but more times than not, Ball has an injury — at least once during the calendar year.
This is why it will be important for Charlotte to grab a superstar-caliber prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. Prospects like Cooper Flag, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, and more will headline the incoming crop of talent.
Can the Hornets front office find superstar material in this year's draft?
Ball was arguably deserving of an NBA All-Star starting spot despite Chandler Parson's comments and is on the road to becoming a superstar of his own.
But who can the Hornets front office target in this year's draft?
Dylan Harper comes to mind, especially after LeBron James' message about the talented freshman at Rutgers University. Harper is averaging 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field as a starter.
Or maybe, Harper's teammate Ace Bailey could be the next selection for Hornets lead executive Jeff Peterson. Bailey stands at 6-10 while recording 19.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per contest on 46.9 percent from the field.
And then, there's Duke's superstar frosh Cooper Flagg, the frontrunner for ACC Freshman of the Year and an All-American caliber player. Flagg is logging 19.9 points, and 8.0 rebounds, along with 4.1 assists per game. He's shooting 48.7 percent overall.
If Charlotte can land any of these three players, then it should be in good shape for the future.
Ball's injury problems will continue to be an issue unless things change and he can prove to be healthy for once. His progression is growing and it would be a pain for fans to see if he can no longer be the face of Queen City.