With the date for the 2020 NBA Draft set, we begin our look at each team in the lottery relative to LaMelo Ball. What’s the outlook of the team, how does Ball fit into their roster and plans and what’s the likelihood of him landing with the franchise? We continue our profiles with the Charlotte Hornets.
Boston Celtics profile
New Orleans profile
Sacramento Kings profile
San Antonio Spurs profile
Phoenix Suns profile
Washington Wizards profile
New York Knicks profile
Detroit Pistons profile
Atlanta Hawks profile
Cleveland Cavaliers profile
Chicago Bulls profile
The Team
One of the luckiest teams in the draft lottery was the Charlotte Hornets, who jumped five spots into the top three and into the conversation for LaMelo Ball. Though the team doesn’t have a need for a guard with both Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier on the roster, they do have a need for a player that will bring notoriety to the franchise, which Ball would do.
Unlike basically every other team profiled, there’s a realistic scenario in which the Hornets can land Ball without needing to trade up. The Timberwolves could draft Anthony Edwards and the Warriors could either not find a trade partner and draft someone that isn’t Ball or find a trade partner that moves up for James Wiseman or another non-Ball prospect. In that situation, the Hornets could be in prime position for Ball without having to give up assets.
There also is the possibility the team could move up to secure Ball while using one of Graham or Rozier as trade bait. The latter has established himself as a rotational guard in the league while the former was a Most Improved Player contender this season. Minnesota could view one of them as a better fit next to D’Angelo Russell than Ball while Golden State could view them as the type of win-now players they desire.
If it all adds up to Ball landing in Charlotte, it would be a huge boost for a franchise that has been stuck in mediocrity and irrelevancy for the better part of the last decade.
The Fit
Under the assumption the Hornets don’t move one of Graham or Rozier to land Ball, the backcourt is crowded. However, all three of the players are versatile enough to play on and off the ball. Last season, Graham spent 61% of his minutes as a shooting guard after spending 60% of his minutes at point guard the year prior. Rozier’s arrival changed Graham’s role, yet he still flourished.
Rozier, meanwhile, did spend the near entirety of his time last season as a point guard but had experience in Boston playing as a two-guard. Add in Ball, who spent time last season playing alongside point guard Aaron Brooks and all three have shown the versatility to play on and off the ball.
In many ways, having guards ahead of Ball could help lighten some of the burden on Ball, particularly as a scorer. Both Rozier and Graham were high-volume scorers last season. Ball could come in and be a playmaker in the offense without needing to score.
Charlotte head coach James Borrego also recently discussed Ball’s fit within the Hornets’ offense. His pass-first mindset would be a perfect fit for what Borrego is trying to accomplish.
The Likelihood
There is a not unlikely chance that Charlotte lands Ball without needing to even trade up. That alone is reason to have Charlotte as a probable landing spot.
Chances of Ball landing in Charlotte: 40%