The Charlotte Hornets aren’t tanking, but at 6-14, they’re just 12th in the woebegone Eastern Conference. Their record isn’t damning considering the fact that they entered the season knowing wins would be hard to come by. Though they have a marquee player in LaMelo Ball and a rising star in Brandon Miller, they don’t have enough pieces to the puzzle.
Sure, they could use another volume scorer in the starting lineup, preferably a big. Someone like New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns would probably be an ideal trade target for them. However, generals don’t win wars by themselves. The Hornets also need players who can star in smaller roles.
Could Hornets Pair LaMelo Ball With Lonzo Ball By Trade Deadline?
When healthy, the concerns about their depth at point guard isn’t overly concerning.
Tre Mann isn’t a true table-setter but has long been considered an underrated scorer. Vasilije Micic is a bit too long in the tooth but is a fantastic facilitator. The two point guards that they have signed to two-way contracts —KJ Simpson and Isaiah Wong —only recently left college, where they were standout performers.
However, none of them have Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball’s blend of size, basketball IQ, outside shooting, and two-way playmaking.
The New Shaun Livington
Lo. Ball’s injury history makes him difficult to trust. Yet, he could be to the Hornets what Shaun Livingston was to the Golden State Warriors’ championship teams due to his skillset and intangibles. When healthy, he can be one of the best backup point guards in the NBA. With his length, he’s also capable of playing alongside other point guards, allowing them to focus more on scoring.
In Golden State, this led to Livingston sharing the court with Stephen Curry. In Charlotte, it’ll lead to him sharing the court with LaMelo. Of course, Charlotte isn’t a title-contender just yet. Nonetheless, as they’ve acquired a few remarkable players during their rebuilding phase, they should be thinking about the playoffs sooner rather than later.
To that point, they probably already are. While Hornets head coach Charles Lee has been criticized for being critical of his franchise point guard, that type of heavy-handed coaching can bring the best out of players. It also sets a standard of excellence that everyone realizes they’ll have to meet.
It’s also worth pointing out that it’s the way La. Ball’s father coached him when he was displeased with his play. With that being said, if that’s what he responds to, why stop now? At least, if the ultimate goal is to win championships?
Family Matters
Back to the Ball Brothers, who would have one of the strongest 1-2 punches at point guard in the NBA. There are clearly reasons to want them both on the roster as players, but there’s more to this move than that. Though La. Ball signed a supermax extension with the Hornets in 2023, players of his caliber have started to request trades when they don’t believe their team is competitive enough.
At 23 years old, individual accomplishments may be enough for him right now. However, in a couple of years, his focus could turn towards winning a ring. If the Hornets still aren’t ready for that, having his brother on the roster could help sway him to stay, especially if they treat him well.
A familial atmosphere doesn’t always keep stars from leaving, but it can help prevent it. With La. Ball already close to multiple teammates, Charlotte can take it a step further by acquiring Lo. Ball.
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