The Charlotte Hornets should be a team to look out for now that they have found their identity with LaMelo Ball at the heart of everything. They're aren't legitimate title threats yet, so they need to address some key questions this season and in the next few years. Let's plow through some of these questions and see if the team can address them.
How will they address the center position?
Fans and analysts agree that the Charlotte Hornets need to beef up the center position. As of now, they only have Mason Plumlee with PJ Washington as his backup. These two are great. But a slow center isn't ideal for LaMelo Ball's style, nor in this era of basketball. It would be ideal if they get a big man who's more mobile, athletic, can defend multiple positions and has a stroke from the outside. That way, he can run with Ball, spread the floor, and catch tons of lobs.
Will they acquire more veterans?
The Hornets are the fourth-youngest team in the NBA with an average age of 24.8. While being young has its advantages, we all know that for teams to make it to the next level, they need a set of veterans with significant experience. Props to the front office for getting veteran point guard Ish Smith. Statistically speaking, he's not the best out there. The Hornets executives know that LaMelo Ball needs a mentor who plays the same position as him. But the Hornets need more. Gordon Hayward is probably the loudest voice in the locker room as he's the one with the most experience. The same goes with Mason Plumlee.
The Hornets are in a good position right now. If Ball continues his stellar play, then the Hornets just might be a prime destination for veterans still chasing for a title. The ultimate question is how much will the Hornets be willing to spend to acquire a veteran or will they be willing to give up some of their current players. These veteran ballers do not come cheap.
What will the Hornets do at the trade deadline?
A legitimate center and some veterans seem to be the missing pieces for the Hornets. As such, Hornets fans should be on the lookout whether or not the team will arrange a trade package to acquire what they need. Ball, Hayward, Bridges, and Rozier are definitely untouchables. Kelly Oubre Jr., too, depending on how he'll mesh with the team, will likely stay.
This doesn't leave many options for the Hornets to pull off a trade. Other players are not really of value to most NBA teams.
As such, if the Hornets plan to make a trade, then they would have to give up some of their draft picks in the future — which is always a risky endeavor. Safe to say it'll be interesting how Michael Jordan and crew will maneuver their way in the February trade deadline.
Can the Hornets make the playoffs?
The ultimate goal is the win the title. The way to get there is to take it step-by-step. As such, the feasible goal for this season is to simply make the playoffs. From the looks of it, Eastern teams who made the playoffs last year can still make another run this season. The only team in a volatile spot is the Washington Wizards. However, analysts and fans believe it will be the Chicago Bulls who will take over their spot. This will make it extra difficult for the Hornets to break their five-year playoff-less curse.
This is the only way for the Hornets to measure their progress. To make the playoffs even as the eighth seed already means that they are on the right path. And as touched upon earlier, if the Hornets pull it off, they will likely attract the attention of good players stuck in their bottom-feeding team and are desperate for a change in environment.
Is LaMelo Ball a legitimate MVP contender?
In his first game as a sophomore in the NBA, Ball logged in 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. The most important of all, the Hornets came up with a victory over the Indiana Pacers, 123-122. Ball received MVP chants from the home crowd, who sounded dead serious. From an outsider's perspective, Hornets fans might be jumping the gun. It's just one game with 81 more to go.
As such, this is the ultimate question for Hornets as a player. There's already a good amount of evidence that he's the real deal. He wasn't just overhyped by his gregarious father.
The 20-year-old may indeed be a generational talent. The only way to find out if he's truly MVP caliber is if he leads the Hornets to a ton of victories. It's a colossal task, given how weak the roster is now. But anything can happen in the league. And we may be in for a show in Charlotte.
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