The Charlotte Hornets are making it clear that LaMelo Ball’s next step is about more than just scoring.
According to Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer, the organization wants its franchise cornerstone to grow into a stronger leader as he enters the 2025-26 season. With Ball carrying the label of highest-paid player and face of the franchise, the expectation is that he will set the tone on and off the court.
Ball’s on-court impact has never been in question. In 47 games last season, he averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, including a career-high 50-point performance against Milwaukee in November. He also became the first Hornets player to record at least 30 points and 10 assists in a season opener.
But health setbacks once again cut his season short. Charlotte announced on March 28 that Ball would undergo two minor procedures on his ankle and wrist, ending his campaign early. It marked the third straight year he played fewer than 50 games.
Despite the injuries, Ball remains central to the Hornets’ long-term plans. His combination of scoring, creativity, and flair has kept him at the center of the team’s rebuild, but leadership is now the primary focus for both the front office and head coach Charles Lee.
The Hornets added youth and depth through the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting Duke’s Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 pick along with Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner in the second round. With promising young pieces alongside veterans like Collin Sexton, Miles Bridges, and Spencer Dinwiddie, the team believes Ball’s leadership could accelerate their progress.
Charlotte’s roster is also waiting on the return of Brandon Miller, who is recovering from injury. Pairing him with Ball could give the Hornets a dynamic scoring duo, but success will depend on whether Ball can organize the offense and elevate teammates consistently.
Ball, 24, has career averages of 21.0 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.0 rebounds across five NBA seasons. He earned an All-Star nod in 2022 and remains one of the league’s most marketable young guards.
