After a dominant 37-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Charlotte Hornets are starting to look like a team that’s finding its rhythm-and Brandon Miller isn’t shy about giving credit where it’s due. When asked about LaMelo Ball, the rookie wing made it clear: playing alongside the one-time All-Star is something special.
Ball has been the subject of trade rumors this season, but if you ask Miller, dealing LaMelo wouldn’t just be a misstep-it could disrupt the very core of what Charlotte is building. That’s not just rookie loyalty talking. It’s a nod to Ball’s impact, both on the stat sheet and in the flow of the game.
Through 37 games this season, Ball is averaging 19.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists per contest. He’s shooting 40.6% from the field, 36.1% from three, and a strong 88.7% from the free-throw line. Those numbers may not scream MVP, but they do tell the story of a player who continues to be the engine of Charlotte’s offense.
Miller, for his part, has stepped up in a big way. In 30 games, he’s putting up 20.4 points, 4.5 boards and 3.5 assists a night, shooting 43.3% from the floor and 37.1% from deep.
That’s not just promising for a rookie-it’s flat-out impressive. He’s showing poise, scoring touch, and a growing feel for the game that bodes well for the Hornets’ future.
At 19-28, the Hornets sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, just 3.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th seed and a spot in the play-in tournament. That’s not out of reach. In fact, with the right tweaks-especially on the defensive end-this team could make things interesting down the stretch.
Offensively, Charlotte has the tools. They rank 14th in points per game and an impressive seventh in offensive rating.
The trio of Ball, Miller and Miles Bridges gives them firepower, and rookie Kon Knueppel adds another layer of scoring potential. The challenge, as it’s been for years, is on the other side of the ball.
The Hornets are 12th in points allowed per game but just 19th in defensive rating-numbers that suggest they’re still figuring things out on that end.
It’s been a long road since Charlotte last made the playoffs in 2016. The closest they’ve come since was the 2022 play-in tournament, where Ball and company fell short against the Hawks. That loss stung, but it also laid the groundwork for what this current group is trying to build.
With Charles Lee at the helm and a core of young, dynamic talent, the Hornets are in a position to push for relevance again. Whether they get there this season or next, one thing is clear: LaMelo Ball is still a vital piece of this puzzle. And if you listen to Brandon Miller, that’s not up for debate.