The Charlotte Hornets have made the decision to shut down LaMelo Ball until the end of the season. Despite having a 18-54 record, this move is not surprising given Ball’s right ankle injury that occurred during a game against the Magic days after Thanksgiving. Interestingly, this is the same ankle that Ball had surgery on near the end of last season.
Prior to the injury, Ball was having one of his best seasons, averaging 25.9 points and 8.6 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from 3-point range. However, his season-ending injury once again raised concerns about his ability to stay healthy and play consistently.
Some around the league have speculated that the Hornets could explore a trade for Ball due to his injury history and a large contract set to begin next season. However, finding a suitable trade partner willing to meet Charlotte’s demands for the two-time All-Star could prove to be challenging.
In other news, rookie Brandon Miller has been making waves as a key player for the Hornets this season. With Ball’s season officially over, it may take until next training camp for Miller and Ball to fully develop their chemistry on the field under new coaching leadership.