The Charlotte Hornets’ jump to the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft could serve as a franchise-changing moment. After largely being stuck in mediocrity in recent years, a bit of good fortune for Charlotte now seems them with a chance to land one of the top prospects in the draft.
While the decision will be largely taken out of the Hornets’ hands, it doesn’t change the need for Charlotte to prepare. In a draft where the consensus is a drop-off after the top three picks, the Hornets find themselves in the perfect position to take the last of the top three remaining.
Whether that player ends up being Ball remains to be seen, but there may not be a better player for the system the Hornets are trying to build. Head coach James Borrego spoke on 102.5 FM WFNZ about a number of topics, including Ball.
“I think there’s a number of players, LaMelo is one of them, but I think there’s a number of young players at that spot that we’re looking at. Obviously, we’re looking for a toughness, a physicality, a high IQ, I think that’s something that a player like LaMelo can bring any team, just the feel, the IQ, the ability to pass.
“As you know, last year we started to trend more towards a passing team. We were second in the league in passes per possession, fourth in the league in assist percentage. We believe in the pass. We believe in making the right play. The young kid you’re speaking about has that ability. He sees the floor at an extremely high level.”
From a playstyle standpoint, it appears Ball would be a great fit in Charlotte. As Borrego mentions, the Hornets ranked near the top of the league in a host of passing leaderboards. Charlotte was also fourth in passes per game last season, a further example of the type of offense they want to run.
Ball ticks all the boxes the Hornets are looking for. Borrego’s comments also bring into question Ball’s first with the current Hornets’ backcourt as well. While many have assumed squeezing Ball in alongside Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier would be difficult, but given how Borrego wants to play, Ball could find his way into the lineup after all.
It’s a question that Borrego and the Hornets will have to answer in the coming months. If Ball is such a perfect fit, the team could look to move up in the draft, a move that might have to come in order to make certain they can draft Ball.
[lawrence-related id=26271,26255,26198]