The Charlotte Hornets have announced that LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season as he continues to rehabilitate from his right ankle injury. Ball sustained the injury against the Orlando Magic just three days after Thanksgiving and has been out since then, marking the second time in as many seasons that he has been sidelined due to ankle issues.
At the time of his injury, Ball was playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging 25.9 points and 8.6 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from 3-point range. Despite injuries plaguing him throughout his NBA career, with three out of four seasons cut short due to various ailments, Ball’s talent and potential make him a valuable asset to the team.
Rookie Brandon Miller has emerged as a key player for the Hornets this season, indicating that he will be part of the team’s core moving forward. With only 58 games played over the past two seasons, there has been speculation that the Hornets may consider trading Ball, especially given his max contract that will kick in next season. However, with Miller proving himself on the court and showing potential for continued growth, it is likely that Ball will remain on the team for at least another year.
The challenge for the Hornets will be to see how Ball and Miller can mesh on the court under a new head coach. This process may not start until next training camp as they work to develop chemistry and cohesion between their young core players. Regardless of what happens in terms of trades or roster moves, it is clear that Ball’s talent and potential make him a valuable asset to any team he plays for in the future.
