Two years ago, the Hornets were arguably the most promising young team in ball, with Lamelo, Miles Bridges, and an array of young, high ceiling players filling out the roster. I could pretty easily tell you who our core was, and how we needed to move forward.
Now however, after the Miles Bridges situation, Lamelo Ball's injury frequency, and most of our key role players on the out, it's time for the Hornets to review who their core is, and what the path forward is from here. I have composed a list of players I believe the Hornets need to hold on to, and build around.
Lamelo Ball, 21 years old
23.3 PPG, 8.4 APG, 6.4RPG
After a remarkable 5yr/$260M extension to keep the youngest Ball brother in Charlotte, it's clear who the front office believes they need to build around. Lamelo is one of the best playmakers of this generation, and the shooting problems that were frequently touted in his draft scouting report never came to fruition, and Lamelo can proudly say, without a doubt, that he is a top three point shooter in the league. He has shown flashes of solid on-ball perimeter defense that is so crucial from your point guard to win in this league. He makes use of his uncanny size and length, and is arguably the best rebounding guard in the league at this point. He again uses this size to penetrate and attack the rim, where he shows elite touch on layups, floaters, hooks and fades. It seems there are no holes in his game, and I believe he is the perfect piece to build around for the Hornets future.
Brandon Miller, 19 years old
19.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.1 APG (Alabama)
Brandon Miller is potentially a generational wing, with elite size and length. He is at his floor the ideal 3&D wing that is not only so valuable in this league, but something the Hornets desperately need right now. I don't expect him to make an instant impact, or maybe even for him to make an All-Rookie team, as he will likely spend his rookie season similarly to Miles Bridges; sitting in the corner and playing defense. Although, in the long run he may develop into a high volume scorer with lock-down abilities, inside and out. His archetype is reminiscent of a young Kevin Durant, as a two way player, with elite three level scoring. His stats likely won't jump of the box score, but give this guy a few years and he could well be the best player on the team.
Mark Williams, 21 Years Old
9.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.0 BPG
When was the last time we had a respectable, dominant, low-post player, who knew his role and played t to perfection? You could say Al Jefferson, maybe Gerald Wallace, or even as far back as Alonzo Mourning. The Hornets history of Centres, or lack thereof, is arguably the worst in the league. Mark Williams may well have the potential to end this cold-spell, as he has shown regular flashes of the rim-protecting, post scoring lob-threat that the front office has desperately searched for, as it is this style the so perfectly compliments LaMelo Ball’s play style. I believe he may reach the level of an all-star (calibre) player in the Houston Rockets version of Clint Capela. At his very best, he may reach a Domantis Sabonis level, if his playmaking continues it’s trajectory of improvement.
Miles Bridges, 25 Years Old
20.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.8 APG (2021-22)
I very much considered taking him off this list; not due to his play or even his domestic violence charge, but due to him accepting the Qualifying Offer Sheet. I wouldn’t be at all surprised by a world where Miles leaves in free agency next year. I also don’t believe his is as integral a building block as he once was; between Miller, Ball and Williams, you don’t need a third star, I’m a big believer in the importance of role players, and I don’t think he is worth the contract he is hoping to sign next offseason. Despite my concerns, he is still an elite post scorer of the drive, a solid shooter, and a great interior defender, and I have no doubt his impact this season will be positive.
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