The Charlotte Hornets are in the middle of a rebuild. Charlotte is trying to find answers as the team looks to compete soon. However, will LaMelo Ball play a role in the Hornets' long-term future? Reporter Richie Randall is not sure about Ball's future with Charlotte, something he discussed during a recent appearance on The Athletic NBA Daily.
"There's a part of me that wonders if he's not really a Jeff Peterson, Charles Lee type of player," Randall said. "They go after, like, hard-nosed, blue collar, high energy guys. LaMelo is more, like, a fluid type of guy... Not to say he doesn't play hard. But it's just the way that you watch him play, doesn't really scream what they've been trying to acquire."
Hornets have a LaMelo Ball decision to make
Ball still has four years remaining on his current contract including this season. The Hornets certainly don't need to rush a decision. At 24 years old, the Hornets may be hesitant to give up on Ball and move on. He is certainly a player they could build around. If the Hornets want other types of players -- perhaps "hard-nosed, blue collar, high energy guys" like Randall said -- then Charlotte may look in a different direction.
With that being said, it is rare to find a player as talented as Ball. When healthy, he is one of the better guards in the NBA. He is flashy and sometimes forces plays, but LaMelo's talent is impossible to deny. He is also a fan-favorite -- something the team will consider before making any final decisions.
The Hornets simply want to find a way to win basketball games. Charlotte will move on if they feel that building around another player -- such as Brandon Miller -- makes sense. However, if Charlotte believes that Ball is the guy who can lead them to the postseason, the Hornets will consider building around Ball.
Hornets preparing for 2025-26 NBA season
At the moment, Charlotte is preparing for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. The Hornets have disappointed in recent years, but they are slowly building an intriguing roster. Charlotte may be able to take a step in the right direction this year. Avoiding injuries will of course be of the utmost importance.
LaMelo Ball will focus on helping his team this season. The hope is that any potential trade rumors will not end up being a distraction for Ball during the upcoming campaign.