Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee emphasized during his exit interview that LaMelo Ball must improve his physical strength ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Speaking to reporters, Lee highlighted the 23-year-old’s durability issues, noting his ankle injuries have limited him to fewer than 50 games in each of the last three seasons.
“Yeah, you know, I’m encouraged by the upward trend in games played,” Lee said. “He played 47 games this year. It’s not where we obviously want it to be, and I have confidence that it’s going to be even better next year.”
Ball averaged a career-best 25.2 points, along with 7.4 assists and 4.9 rebounds in his fifth NBA season, but was shut down in late March to undergo procedures on his ankle and wrist.
Lee credited Ball’s growth on both ends of the floor, but stressed that getting physically stronger is critical if he is to withstand the contact that comes with being a franchise player.
“I’m going to leave it at strength,” Lee said when asked about weight gain. “He’s got to get stronger and he’s got to be able to be ready for more physical defenses because he is such an important player on our team.”
According to Lee, Ball showed noticeable buy-in defensively throughout the season and took responsibility for his role as the Hornets’ primary two-way leader.
“I feel like this year when he played, he knew that he had to be a great two-way player. He accepted the challenge,” Lee said. “Was he perfect all the time? No. But none of us are.”
Charlotte finished 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 19–63 record, ranking near the bottom in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Lee drew parallels between the physical defenses that target elite players and the kind of attention Ball should expect as the Hornets build toward playoff contention.
“That’s the strategy – that was the strategy I’ve seen with Antetokounmpo when I was in Milwaukee, it was the strategy versus Tatum in Boston,” Lee explained. “When you’re the best player in the league, you have to be ready for physicality.”
He also praised Ball’s developing ability to read defenses and manage the flow of games offensively, noting that his growth as a decision-maker will be key moving forward.
“I just think that part of the game – as he starts becoming an extension of the coaching staff and can get us under control and put us in the best position offensively – is going to be very exciting to see,” Lee said.
Charlotte’s performance staff will work with Ball during the offseason to determine the appropriate strength and conditioning benchmarks.
Lee pointed to last summer’s commitment from Ball as a positive sign and said he expects an even greater level of preparation in the months ahead.
“All the ankle rehab stuff is going to have to take its steps,” Lee said. “That work starts now.”
