As Summer League rapidly approaches, the Charlotte Hornets are simultaneously getting ready for that and another season with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller leading the way.
Summer League will provide the Hornets a nice opportunity to find new young talent to take a chance on, but it’s extremely unlikely that anyone they find this summer will be a big part of their rebuild.
Instead, Ball, Miller, Mark Williams, and rookie Tidjane Salaun will hope to lead a new era of Hornets basketball. But what if they could poach anyone they want?
Here are five complementary star players the Hornets wish they could steal to pair with Ball moving forward. (For the sake of avoiding adding the mega-stars like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, we’re just going to roll with All-Star-level players who would be complementary pieces.)
1. Bam Adebayo
If there was a big man the Hornets could steal a big man to play next to Ball, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo would be the perfect option for a multitude of reasons.
First and foremost, Adebayo’s defense would immediately transform the way Charlotte plays on that end of the court. Having a five-tool defender leading the charge would be incredible.
Ball isn’t a great defender and likely never will be, but having a guy like Adebayo would help make up for a lot of deficiencies on that side of the ball. The All-Star center would be a massive help.
On top of that, Adebayo’s pick-and-roll game would pair beautifully next to Ball, who is one of the best playmakers in the NBA. Adebayo is an elite screen-setter, and his rim-running would add a whole new level to the Hornets’ offense.
2. Victor Wembanyama
In a couple of years, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will fall under the same category as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and the rest of the mega-stars in the NBA, but for now, he can be on this list.
Wembanyama is already the best defender in the NBA, and he’s only 20 years old. If Bam Adebayo can make up for LaMelo Ball’s defensive mistakes, then Wembanyama can do more than that.
Having a 7-foot-5 freak next to Ball moving into the future would be a dream for the Hornets. If they could steal Wembanyama, it would completely change the course of their franchise.
3. Mikal Bridges
The New York Knicks just pulled off a massive blockbuster trade for Mikal Bridges, solifidying them as one of the best teams in the Eastern Confernece. He would also be a perfect fit on the Hornets.
Just a few years ago, Bridges finished second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Having an elite perimeter defender like him on the team would be awesome for the Hornets.
Plus, Bridges has emerged as a legitimate scoring option during his time with the Brooklyn Nets, so he could easily slot in as a top offensive option in Charlotte next to Ball.
4. Jrue Holiday or Derrick White
Choosing two players may be cheating, but if the Charlotte Hornets could steal either of the backcourt members of the Boston Celtics—Jrue Holiday or Derrick White—-they would be thrilled.
Pairing LaMelo Ball with an elite defensive guard would be the perfect way for them to complement his offensive talent, and Holiday and White are both All-Defensive guards. Either would be an amazing player to steal for the Hornets.
And to make the fit even better, both players are more than capable on the offensive end. Each of them would be an elite secondary playmaker and tertiary scoring option in Charlotte.
5. Evan Mobley
Though Evan Mobley hasn’t necessarily figured out his offensive game with the Cleveland Cavaliers just yet, his elite defensive play would make him a great big man to pair with LaMelo Ball.
Mobley’s versatile defensive play at the four or five would help the Hornets completely transform the way they play on that end, especially with Ball and his lackluster defense.
Obviously, Mobley’s offense would have to take significant steps forward, but Charlotte would have a lot more freedom to let him experiment and play whatever style of offense that he wants to. He could be a perfect partner for Ball to grow with on the Hornets.