The Charlotte Hornets finished 2024-25 with the third-worst record in the NBA. To say that was disappointing is an understatement. Though they weren\u2019t exactly playoff contenders entering the season, most people probably would\u2019ve expected them to win at least 20 games.<\/p>\n
However, their calamitous campaign can be partially attributed to the fact that they were dealing with injuries. A back injury had prevented Tre Mann<\/a> \u2014a key backup \u2014from playing since November<\/a>. Then Grant Williams<\/a> \u2014a valuable frontcourt piece \u2014tore his ACL<\/a> in December. Brandon Miller<\/a> \u2014one of their top players \u2014tore a wrist ligament<\/a> soon after. LaMelo Ball<\/a>\u2019s season ended after he underwent surgeries<\/a> on his wrist and ankle.<\/p>\n Ball, the face of the Hornets, is on the injury report frequently. So much so that he\u2019s all but a thorn in the Hornets\u2019 side. Since being drafted third overall in 2020, the 6-foot-7 playmaker has missed 169 games. The only season that he missed fewer than 20 games was 2021-22.<\/p>\n Perhaps that\u2019s why his brother, Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball<\/a>, says he visualizes the Hornets drafting his replacement the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n He adds that he sees his brother being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. This latter suggestion could simply be connected to their California roots. However, it\u2019s worth noting that Clippers guard James Harden<\/a> shares many similarities with La. Ball. Furthermore, Harden can opt out of his contract this offseason.<\/p>\n \u201cI lowkey got Dylan Harper going to the Hornets,\u201d the former second overall pick tells his co-hosts on The WAE Show (h\/t Charlotte Hornets Reddit<\/em>), a conglomerate that includes brother LiAngelo Ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Lonzo Ball on @TheWAEShow<\/a>:<\/p>\n “I lowkey got Dylan Harper going to the Hornets. And I got Melo going to the Clips.” \ud83e\udd28 pic.twitter.com\/B3ocweyzTS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 r\/CharlotteHornets on Reddit (@HornetsReddit) May 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLaMelo Ball\u2019s Brother Makes Shocking Hornets Prediction<\/h2>\n
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