Skeptics Doubt LaMelo Ball Can Lead Hornets

Merlin sees rising skepticism that LaMelo Ball can be "the face of a winning franchise," as Tim MacMahon put it. The worry is practical: durability (just 105 appearances over three seasons) and uneven impact — defensive lapses and shaky shot selection despite 11.2 threes per game at only 33.9% and a roughly $40 million salary. That matters because Charlotte’s gaudy box‑score flashes need to start turning into more wins. Merlin knows Ball’s highlight‑reel brilliance and All‑Star pedigree, but playoff proof is the final test. With Brandon Miller and a 2025 first‑rounder in the mix, the Hornets must decide whether to double down on Ball and hope availability and efficiency improve, or pivot toward a steadier cornerstone. If the team stays mediocre, trade talk will grow louder.