After a stellar rookie campaign that highlighted both his two-way upside and leadership potential, Charlotte Hornets swingman Brandon Miller could usurp former No. 3 pick LaMelo Ball as the face of the franchise.
Unlike other young players put in this position, it’s not because there are questions about his talent. An elite playmaker at 6-foot-7, Ball’s both a Rookie of the Year Award winner and one-time All-Star. He just can’t stay healthy, missing 134 games since being drafted. If the Hornets weren’t 42-92 without him, his extended absences wouldn’t be so alarming. But then again, as Charlotte is 82-102 with Ball in the lineup, he moves the needle enough for them to believe he’s a key piece moving forward.
As a result, Hornets executive vice president Jeff Peterson isn’t trading Ball. At least, not right now.
Hornets Make Feelings On LaMelo Ball Trade Clear
“The Hornets’ new regime isn’t all that interested in sending LaMelo out of town at this particular juncture,” writes the Charlotte Observer’s Roderick Boone.
“First off, they need to see how he operates during a full season. He’s yet to log a complete campaign in his four years and it’s hard to get rid of someone deemed the face of the franchise… without digging further into determining whether he is indeed the one moving forward.
And that leads into the first part of your question. Ball’s trade value is severely diminished due to his array of ankle injuries and there’s no way the Hornets could get equal value for him in return because rival (general managers) wouldn’t be willing to offer multiple first round picks or NBA-ready talent for Ball until he shows he won’t get banged up at the same rate. So, there’s little chance he’d dealt within the next year.”
While Boone didn’t completely peel back the Hornets’ plans for Ball, he revealed enough about their thinking to quell rumors about an impending trade. That may not be the type of solatium fans were looking for; when a new regime comes in, people expect at least one grand change. With that said, while Ball will remain in Charlotte, the departure of Miles Bridges could be in the cards.
Replacing Miles Bridges
Bridges will be a free agent in the offseason and the Hornets may be outbid by the Detroit Pistons. In fact, both the Pistons and Utah Jazz are being linked to Bridges ahead of free agency. Though their eyes are set on top shelf free agents, the Philadelphia 76ers could come calling as well. He isn’t as efficient from outside, but he’s a natural replacement for impending free agent Tobias Harris.
If Charlotte does have to replace Bridges, they’re projected to have $32.6 million in maximum cap space. This is enough to bring back Kelly Oubre Jr., who averaged 20.3 points per game with the Hornets in 2022-23. They could also make a run at two-time All-Star, Pascal Siakam.
As a reminder, Charlotte has the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Though this draft class has been heavily criticized, a couple of frontcourt prospects have the potential to be as good as Bridges. To that point, G League Ignite forwards Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis could both be available at No. 6.
