The Charlotte Hornets are taking a different approach this season-one that’s raised some eyebrows, sparked a few hot takes, and, quietly, may be paying off.
Let’s start with the headline move: LaMelo Ball, the face of the franchise, came off the bench earlier this month. That’s right-on January 8, against the Indiana Pacers, Ball started the game as a reserve for the first time since his rookie year.
It wasn’t a punishment or a message. It was a calculated decision by first-year head coach Charles Lee, who’s been navigating the delicate balance between keeping his star healthy and trying to win games.
It was Charlotte’s third game in four nights, and with Ball’s well-documented injury history, Lee made the call to ease him in. Since then, Ball has come off the bench in two more games, including one against the Golden State Warriors. That move caught the attention of Warriors veteran Draymond Green, who voiced his confusion-and criticism-on his podcast, suggesting the Hornets were “tanking in plain sight.”
“You have a point guard that is built to set all of those guys up, and he’s on the bench on that team-I don’t get it,” Green said. “They are tanking in plain sight… and I think that sucks.”
But here’s what’s getting lost in the noise: LaMelo Ball is playing. A lot. In fact, he’s been available for 21 straight games-the longest stretch of games he’s played since his second year in the league, when he made the All-Star team and suited up for 75 games.
That’s not a coincidence. It’s a result of a strategic shift by Lee and GM Jeff Peterson, who are prioritizing Ball’s availability-especially late in games, when it matters most. The Hornets aren’t just trying to get him on the floor-they’re trying to keep him there when the game is on the line.
And it’s starting to show. With Ball sharing the court alongside rookie Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, and Moussa Diabate, the Hornets are beginning to find a rhythm.
That group has been clicking, and the team has won four of its last five games. Suddenly, the Hornets-once buried in the standings-are just 3.5 games out of the 10th seed and the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t about benching Ball for the sake of it. It’s about preserving him for the moments that count.
Charlotte is 5-16 in games decided by 10 points or fewer. Flip even half of those, and they’re in a very different spot in the standings.
That’s why Lee is managing Ball’s minutes with playoff implications in mind.
“There’s been some games where Melo even agrees that he should come off the bench to make sure that we have more fourth quarter minutes for him when it is winning time,” Lee said after practice last week. “Even though obviously the whole game is really important and every possession is really important.”
That’s a telling quote-not just about Lee’s coaching philosophy, but about Ball’s buy-in. This isn’t a power struggle.
It’s a partnership. And if the Hornets can keep Ball healthy and productive down the stretch, they just might sneak into the postseason conversation.
For now, the front office has made it clear: no trades are on the table. The plan is to evaluate everything after the season. But if Ball continues to stay on the court, and the Hornets keep trending in the right direction, that evaluation might look a lot different than it did just a few weeks ago.
So while some see the benching as a red flag, it might actually be a long-term play. If Ball’s cool with it-and all signs point to yes-then this could be the kind of move that pays off when it matters most.