The Charlotte Hornets' prized acquisitions Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball took the floor on Friday in preparation for the 2020-21 NBA season. Buzz City's latest recruits got acquainted in training camp where we got a first look at them getting practice reps down with their new team.
Hayward and Melo both displayed their outside proficiency, hitting long-ranged bombs with relative ease.
Get comfortable s👀ing this 👌👌👌@MELOD1P ❌ @gordonhayward#AllFly | @NovantHealth pic.twitter.com/lOWHKvY07s
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 4, 2020
In a follow-up clip posted by the Hornets' social media team, the 19-year-old incoming rookie showed some of his hops with a thunderous one-handed oop off the backboard.
LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward putting in work during Hornets practice 💪
(via @hornets) pic.twitter.com/x4SBZzjIal
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 5, 2020
The Hornets were eager to make a splash this offseason since they owned the biggest cap room in free agency and a high lottery pick in the 2020 draft. LaMelo Ball was expected by a handful of draft pundits to go first overall, but somehow slid to Charlotte's laps when it was their turn to select at no. 3. The youngest of the infamous Ball brood is expected to make a difference right away with his excellent court vision for the Michael Jordan-owned franchise.
His flair for the theatrics is also a welcome sight in the Queen City, which has been lacking in excitement over the last few seasons. Charlotte was also expected to be big-time players in free agency but somehow failed to lure any of the top players available this year.
Their decision to give Hayward a massive 4- year,$120 million deal raised a lot of eyebrows around the league. The 30-year-old swingman was considered one of the most promising two-way players in the league a few years back but has been hampered by major injuries throughout his last stint with the Boston Celtics. The Hornets, however, were in desperate need of some talent even at the risk of overpaying for Hayward's services.
It remains to be seen if the Hornets' investments will pay off this year, especially after that disastrous 23-42 outing in 2019-20.