The Charlotte Hornets have decided to shut down LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the season, following their record of 18-54. Ball has been out of action since injuring his right ankle during a game against the Magic days after Thanksgiving. This is the same ankle that he had surgery on towards the end of the previous season.
Despite his injury, Ball was having one of the best seasons of his career before it ended, averaging 25.9 points and 8.6 assists per game with a 3-point shooting percentage of 38.9%. However, concerns about his ability to stay healthy and play consistently have been raised once again due to this season-ending injury.
Rumors have circulated in the league about possible trades for Ball due to his injury history and large contract set for next season. Nonetheless, finding a suitable trade partner willing to meet Charlotte’s demands may prove challenging. Meanwhile, rookie Brandon Miller has stepped up as a key player for the Hornets this season. With Ball’s season officially over, it may take until next training camp for this process to fully unfold and for Miller and Ball to complement each other on the court under new guidance from a potential new coach.