The Charlotte Hornets' direction is clear. Head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson recently reiterated the team's philosophy of avoiding risky win-now moves and instead building a sustainable contender.
However, completing a successful rebuild can take a few years to accomplish, especially for small-market teams. Take a look at the top squads of either conference, for example. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder needed to play the waiting game at times to make shrewd roster moves and get where they are now.
So, if the Hornets want to emulate them, having patience is non-negotiable. The way their roster is constructed now gives them almost no opportunity to climb from near the bottom of the standings. They can boost their chances by acing the 2025 draft and finding apt reinforcements via trade or free agency. Hopefully, Charlotte's stars can wait that long.
Paul Pierce implores Hornets to make a franchise-altering move
Some fans might be sweating right now wondering if LaMelo Ball can stay patient enough for the organization to supply him with the right supporting cast. NBA legend Paul Pierce even said that if he were Ball, he would be "looking to get out" of Charlotte.
The 2022 All-Star has shown no indication of planning to leave the club, but seasons more of losing will definitely take a toll on him. Hopefully, it hasn't yet, although Pierce noted that watching other former Eastern Conference cellar-dwellers could cause Ball to consider looking for a new home.
The Boston Celtics icon mentioned the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons, teams that are able to contend for a spot in the 2025 playoffs because of their success in surrounding their cornerstones, Trae Young and Cade Cunningham, with solid pieces.
Pierce may have overlooked that injuries have ravaged the Hornets, causing Ball to take on a much heavier responsibility when he is not sidelined himself. The good news is that Buzz City has been on a roll as of late, winning three of its past four games despite its best player struggling to hit shots from downtown.
Still, that hasn't stopped "The Truth" from calling on the Hornets to do everything they can to make a blockbuster deal that would urge Ball to stay. Interestingly, the Hall of Famer thinks trading for Zion Williamson would be "the move" for Charlotte.
Bringing in the New Orleans Pelicans star is an intriguing thought. Not only would it be a homecoming for the former Duke University standout, but it would also give Melo a formidable partner on both ends of the court. Risking it all for Williamson would certainly increase the Hornets' ceiling. Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star's injury history is just too lengthy to ignore. It's a disaster waiting to happen and could even be the reason Ball eventually decides to want out.
So, despite Pierce's plea, Charlotte might be better off staying the course and hoping that its star point guard is on the same page.