LaMelo Ball has never been one to play it safe - and that’s exactly how Hornets head coach Charles Lee likes it.
Ahead of Charlotte’s matchup with the Cavaliers, Lee weighed in on Ball’s fearless approach to playmaking. The 22-year-old point guard is known for threading the needle on passes that most wouldn’t dare attempt, and while those decisions don’t always pan out, Lee sees the upside in letting Ball be Ball.
“You gotta have somebody who’s not afraid to make a big play,” Lee said. “It might burn you every once in a while, but those guys have such good feel, such good instincts, that a lot of times it works out.”
That calculated chaos has been a defining trait of Ball’s game since he entered the league. Through the season so far, he’s averaging 8.6 assists per game - a mark that puts him among the NBA’s top facilitators - along with 3.5 turnovers.
That assist-to-turnover ratio isn’t spotless, but it speaks to the high-risk, high-reward nature of his game. He’s racked up 155 assists to 63 turnovers, and if you’ve watched him for more than a few minutes, you know those numbers come with a fair share of jaw-dropping dimes and the occasional head-scratching misfire.
But that’s the trade-off with a player like LaMelo. He’s not just a point guard - he’s a playmaker in the truest sense, someone who sees passing angles others don’t and has the confidence to go for them. And while that can lead to turnovers, it also unlocks a level of offensive creativity that’s hard to replicate.
On the season, Ball is putting up 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game. His shooting splits - 39.1% from the field, 31.6% from three, and 87.7% from the line - show room for growth, especially with efficiency, but the overall impact is clear. When he’s on the floor, the Hornets’ offense simply has more life.
Of course, Ball’s name has been swirling in trade rumors - not exactly a new development, but one that’s picked up steam this season. He’s been linked to teams like the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Raptors, all of whom could use a dynamic playmaker to elevate their backcourt. Whether Charlotte decides to move him remains to be seen, but the interest is real.
The Hornets, for their part, haven’t found much team success in the LaMelo era. Since drafting him third overall in 2020, they’ve yet to make the playoffs and have only posted one winning record. That’s led to plenty of questions about the franchise’s direction - and whether Ball is the centerpiece of the future or a valuable trade chip.
One thing that could factor into the decision? The emergence of rookie Kon Knueppel, who’s shown flashes of star potential in his debut season.
Keeping Ball alongside Knueppel could give Charlotte a dynamic one-two punch to build around. But if the front office decides to pivot, Ball’s combination of youth, talent, and star upside would make him one of the most intriguing names on the trade market.
For now, though, he’s still in Charlotte, still making the kind of passes that make coaches hold their breath - and then smile when they land right on target.