After a hopeful start to the season, the Charlotte Hornets appear to have unfortunately reverted to their old ways, suffering a third consecutive blowout loss. None of those defeats can be blamed on LaMelo Ball, but it is becoming clear that relying on him to be the No. 1 guy may not be the Hornets' best bet to become a sustainable contender.
This is no knock on Ball, as I am one of those who have always said that he has superstar potential. The combination of his on-court skills, entertainment factor, and marketability should even make him a candidate for the future face of the league.
However, the hard-hitting question now is whether Ball can reach his potential. For every impressive stat or progress he has shown on the court, he has also raised plenty of concerns with his typically poor field-goal percentage, high turnover average, and propensity for fouling. He has exhibited marked improvement as a leader, but there have still been times when his body language and actions are questionable.
The 2022 All-Star has tried to carry the Hornets in this young season, nearly averaging a double-double with 23.3 points and 9.8 assists per game while leading the team in average rebounds with 7.8 boards per contest. Yet, they are still 2-4, defeating the opponents they are supposed to beat (the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards) while not providing much of a fight against more competitive foes (the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Minnesota Timberwolves).
However, Ball just does not look like a guy who can carry a franchise by himself. He may be more suited as a No. 2 option. It does not have to mean that he should not be the team's leader in scoring, assists, or both, but the organization may need to evaluate whether building the roster around him or with him as merely a foundational piece is the right approach.
Hornets do not have to give up on LaMelo Ball
Despite Melo's possibly limited ceiling, Charlotte does not necessarily have to ship him off for what might be just spare parts because his trade value may still not be high enough to command a Godfather offer in the market. Instead, the Hornets may be better off trying to find another star to pair him with.
Perhaps Brandon Miller can grow into the role, although fans are probably wary of anointing him as the chosen one, given his current injury predicament and still-underdeveloped handles and finishing. His defense also remains suspect, despite possessing the length and athleticism to be an elite perimeter stopper.
Some folks have called on Charlotte to tank this year and try its hand again at landing a generational prospect after missing out on Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg in the past three drafts. The funny thing is, it might have no choice but to rack up the losses, based on what we've seen from its performances to begin this campaign.
However, intentionally losing may not be the best path for the Hornets. For one, it would not even guarantee them a top pick in the draft. More importantly, it might be wise for them to assure Ball and their other possible core pieces that they are committed to winning, even if their placement in the standings may not yet reflect it.