LaMelo Ball is unconcerned with the change in ownership and front office for the Charlotte Hornets as he looks to come back from a debilitating injury that limited him to only 34 games last year. The All-Star athlete, and the face of the franchise, came under the spotlight when recent reports suggested that the new ownership might look at moving on due to unmet expectations from the team.
“I don’t really have any pressure. Like I said, I just go in, play, and try to get as many wins as we can and do the best as we can,” Ball said while addressing journalists during the NBA media day.
In the last three seasons, Ball has been unable to play more than 46.2 games per season on average. This raises concerns over his availability and ability to lead the team. Since he’s not on the court, the Hornets are left without their star athlete.
His three-point percentage has gone down year after year; from 37.6% in 2022-23, it went down to 35.5% the next season, and last year he shot 33.9% from the three-point line.
For someone who has to carry the bulk of his team’s scoring, this is a concerning dip. It should also be noted that despite this step back, he has still been able to average 25 points, and for a small time during last season, he was on a short list of players averaging 25 points and five-plus assists. He even put up a 50-point game in November last year. But his scoring has been in spurts, and consistency has consistently been an issue.
Most of his regression is blamed on his inability to play through the season, partially due to injuries. It seems like he’s been putting a lot of time in the gym; that’s what the Hornets head coach alluded to, so maybe this year, Ball will be better equipped to handle the rigour of a full NBA season. But the Hornets have made it clear that their sole concern remains how to bring this franchise out of its rut. The last time the team made the playoffs was 2016, which is nearly a decade ago now.
Thus, the Hornets’ front office has made it abundantly clear that they are not apprehensive about taking a different direction if things with Ball do not work out this season as well. Some argue that it will be a challenge for them to rebuild without their star and the face of their franchise, but others say that it is better to build around someone consistent than someone unable to stay healthy.
Letting Ball go will also activate the trade-kicker clause in his contract, which means the Hornets might have to pay a hefty sum to get their star away. But if the new ownership is looking to revamp the entire franchise, clearing the house does not look like a bad idea.
