The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the most exciting teams to watch over the last two seasons. With a high-flying forward, Miles Bridges, accompanied by a shifty and talented playmaker like LaMelo Ball, the Hornets might not be the best team on paper but often are the most entertaining.
While Bridges has been a decent enough player for the team, it was the arrival of Ball which has often been considered the game changer for the franchise. Easily one of the best players from his draft class, a 6’7″ Ball is one of the most crafty point guards in the game right now. Be it a behind-the-back pass or a skip pass or a perfect alley-oop, the 20-year-old has shown the world that he is one of the best young playmakers out there.
This has been clear in his stats, as well as he averages 7 assists per game for his career. Not only has he impressed in terms of playmaking, his scoring average of 18.3 points per game shows all signs of Ball already being a great player. In a recent report, it was revealed that LaMelo will be eligible for a 5-year-contract extension worth $202.5 million in 2023.
REPORT: LaMelo Ball is eligible for a five-year, $202.5M contract extension in 2023, reports @BobbyMarks42.
Ball would become the first Hornets player to receive a rookie max extension under Michael Jordan. pic.twitter.com/cDNL9Ix37R
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 4, 2022
The NBA community, though, seems to be divided with the recent reports about Melo’s potential extension.
For doing absolutely nothing ! Cool little player not elite by any means .
— oz (@Giantniner1) August 4, 2022
No playoffs though
— James Monsanto (@JamesMonsanto6) August 4, 2022
No brainer
— TransitionG (@Transition_G) August 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/JohnLay80223220/status/1555000754863226880
Hope they can manage to keep him happy with the pieces they put around him
— CAROLINA FELLA (@reallyjimmied) August 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/TahoeBlue__/status/1554991654230142977
bro getting the bag bag
— 🥷🖤 (@doitlikebarii) August 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/oogaah/status/1554990608749568000
YES
— cian 🪼 (@Cianplswin) August 4, 2022
Ant better
— 🦆¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@cantguarddurant) August 4, 2022
LMFAOOO😭😭
— 💫 (@qqadet) August 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/dudemeister_/status/1555014171074465792
Get that money LaMelo
— Phillip Rhinehardt (@Phillipdrphl) August 4, 2022
I dont think he quite earned that just yet but he is the draw, he's the ticket seller so maybe he does deserve it. He is must see tv. He gotta take his game up another notch tho
— Only4theReal (@RealOnly4the) August 4, 2022
Should be a no brainer
— rad 🐝 (@hornets_rad) August 4, 2022
Not worth it
— Davis Kelly (@DangerDavis_) August 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/fatturd74/status/1555004209363238912
LaMelo Ball might be an entertaining player to watch, but for now it seems like fans are divided whether he can be the superstar of the Hornets team. This might be due to the fact that Ball’s numbers of 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game last season do not stand out much.
But the 2022-23 season might change the narrative severely. In his first two seasons, LaMelo has shown signs of improvement. If he can finally take the jump to becoming the star man of the team, followed by a huge uptick in his numbers, LaMelo being offered the max contract extension might be a simple decision.
Given how little we have seen from the Hornets in the offseason so far, it will be interesting to see how they use a talented young star like LaMelo Ball.
