In the 2020 offseason, the Charlotte Hornets lucked out after the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors left them LaMelo Ball in the draft. The point guard needed less than two seasons to prove he is among the league's best, securing an All-Star berth in 2022.
However, Ball has since been tagged with an injury prone label, although history will decide whether that characterization will turn out to be fair or not.
Imagine, though, if he hadn't had to go through the injuries he did in the past two years. There's a chance Ball would be a three-time All-Star today and challenge Anthony Edwards for the distinction of being the best 23-and-under star today.
Brandon Miller taking over LaMelo Ball is only a matter of time
Still, despite the lack of reps, the playmaker is highly considered the face of the Hornets franchise. His combination of skills and charisma is unmatched within the organization, and he has the potential to make Charlotte more relevant on the global stage.
If Ball misses more games than he appears in, though, he might wear out his welcome among the Hornets faithful.
New York Knicks commentator Alan Hahn touched upon the subject when he and Mike Breen covered the broadcast of Charlotte's 2024 preseason opener against the Knicks. He praised Ball's wizardry and potential to be a human highlight reel. But he quickly deviated, asserting that if the 2021 Rookie of the Year can't overcome his health and decision-making issues, the Hornets will be "Brandon Miller's team going forward."
That's quite a bold take, albeit hardly inconceivable.
The No. 2 pick of the 2023 draft showed flashes of his potential to be a star during his rookie campaign. Miller pretty much made the woeful and injury-laden Hornets squad watchable in the last campaign, and his commitment to improving his defense to become an elite two-way player should make him among the most improved hoopsters this coming season.
Will that be enough for the promising swingman to take the key to the city of Charlotte from Ball? Only time will tell. However, there is no doubt about his talent, and he has already become one of the team's top two go-to guys. And Miller's redeeming quality that could make him the better No. 1 option is his availability.
For now, the unofficial status quo is that the Hornets are LaMelo's squad. That might not remain true for long. That is unless he can finally get a clean bill of health consistently.