2 weeks Ago By Andrei De Guzman, NBA Analysis Network
Another frustrating season is in the books for the Charlotte Hornets, and they hope for more direction in 2025-26 The Charlotte Hornets began the 2024-25 season filled with lofty optimism. Following a shake-up at ownership, front office, and the head coaching hiring of Charles Lee , the ball club hoped for a more competitive year. These changes weren’t enough.
Like the past couple of seasons, the Hornets found themselves as a bottom-tier squad once again, settling for an awful Top-14 finish in the final Eastern Conference ladder with only 19 wins. The Hornets are now hoping for luck in the NBA Draft Lottery, but also need more out of former high pick LaMelo Ball. Isaiah Thomas view on LaMelo Ball As the cycle of mediocrity continues for the Hornets, LaMelo Ball is now under increased scrutiny.
The Hornets identified Ball as the centerpiece of their future when they drafted him as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft. Yet after five years, the organization is yet to benefit.
Under the Ball era, the Hornets are yet to make the NBA Playoffs , continuing a drought that has existed since since 2016. The deepest the Hornets have been with the franchise star has been a Play-In Tournament finish in 2021. Many are now wondering if the Hornets should still believe in Ball to lead the team to relevance.
An NBA insider reported even that his future in the Queen City is now being monitored by several league circles heading to summer. While many are in doubt already that Ball is the right one for the franchise, Isaiah Thomas thinks that the Hornets should keep their patience intact for the 23-year-old. During a Q&A on X, when asked about LaMelo Ball’s ability to lead, he responded: “Yessir he is.
It takes time and experience. He will get that team right.” Yessir he is.
It takes time and experience. He will get that team right https://t.co/9RI06TmPTH Ball needs to improve himself Isaiah Thomas managed to share the court with Ball during the 2021-22 season.
Albeit it was only a single season, Thomas certainly saw something special from the former Rookie of the Year. While the Hornets’ higher-ups deserves plenty of blame and responsibility on why the franchise remains stagnant throughout the years, Ball must be mindful enough to acknowledge that he’s been a disappointment thus far for Charlotte. Ball only had one healthy season since becoming a Hornet.
He has to embrace improvement especially at the defensive end and decision-making in which he holds a concerning career average of 3.3 turnovers. This season, Ball averaged a career-best 25.
2 points with 7.4 assists and 4.9 boards in 47 total games.
His talent and potential to be one of the best can’t be denied, but there is something missing, with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst slamming his performances . Their offseason is lengthy enough for Ball and the Hornets to reassess their partnership. There is still a chance he ends up teaming with Cooper Flagg.
This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission..
