The Charlotte Hornets' latest moves signify the franchise's intent to take another step back this season in hopes of building a sustainable contender sometime in the future. The front office, led by vice president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson, undoubtedly deserves praise for mustering the courage to shake the roster up.
Only time will tell, though, if Peterson made the right decision in turning Mark Williams, Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, and a second-round selection into Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, Jusuf Nurkic, two first-round picks, and a pick swap at this year's trade deadline.
However, flying under the radar amidst the flurry of deals is how Hornets star LaMelo Ball feels about all the changes that have happened in the past weeks. At 23 years old, he is about to enter his prime and might soon grow weary of being part of a losing team year after year.
Of course, there is also the possibility that the flashy point guard is of the same mind as the front office. On the one hand, if the moves don't pan out as hoped for, Ball might become unhappy with the organization. And a disgruntled Melo could prompt his father LaVar to return to the public eye more prominently again.
LaVar Ball might have some word for Charlotte if losses keep piling up
For the past years, the elder Ball has managed to stay out of the limelight and not take the attention away from his sons.
There was a time when he couldn't help but keep on sharing unsolicited advice to the Los Angeles Lakers when his oldest child Lonzo still donned the Purple and Gold. As a result, the organization implemented the "LaVar Ball rule," which prohibited the media from interviewing the players' family members during home games.
Fortunately, the Hornets have found no need to implement such a rule, likely because LaMelo Ball has turned into a star for Charlotte. One can only wonder, though, how long LaVar Ball can hold his tongue if his youngest son grows frustrated with all the losing.
The Ball patriarch had already inserted himself into public consciousness earlier this season when he hinted at something big happening in Charlotte, which some people have theorized as his kids joining forces on the Hornets.
That might not be possible anymore, given that Lonzo Ball recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Chicago Bulls. However, LaVar Ball doesn't seem happy with how the Bulls have used the 27-year-old floor general as a role or spot player. Maybe he will urge the Hornets to trade for Lonzo, which, honestly, wouldn't be a bad thing, considering Charlotte's need for a playmaker and another point-of-attack defender.