The Hornets have been absent from the playoffs since 2016, enduring a seven-year drought, the longest in the NBA. Rozier, who signed a $97 million extension in 2021 that will keep him with the team until the 2025-26 season, adds valuable experience and talent to the lineup. The Hornets have high hopes that with Ball and Miller leading the team, along with the support of former All-Star Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier, they can make a push for the postseason. The team’s recent draft decision further emphasized their commitment to Ball, as they selected Alabama star forward Brandon Miller, prioritizing Ball as the team’s backcourt leader over highly-regarded point guard Scoot Henderson. Although a fractured ankle cut short his 2022-23 season after just 36 games, Ball was averaging 23.2 points, 8.4 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, with shooting percentages of 41.1% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc.ĭespite missing a significant number of games due to injuries throughout his career, the Hornets highly value Ball’s potential and his impact on both the court and the franchise’s overall success. He has shot 42.6% from the floor and an impressive 37.7% from 3-point distance on 8.9 attempts per game. Over the course of three seasons, Ball has averaged 19.4 points, 7.3 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Ball was selected for his first All-Star team during the 2021-22 season. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2021 and has continued to show improvement across various statistical categories, including his impressive performance as a high-volume 3-point shooter. The agreement also serves as a testament to the new team ownership group, led by former minority owner Gabe Plotkin and ex- Atlanta Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall, who are committed to building around Ball.ĭespite facing injuries that limited him to 51 games, Ball has exceeded expectations since being drafted third overall by the Hornets in 2020. No other player drafted during the Jordan era has signed a max extension to their rookie contract. This deal marks a significant milestone for the Hornets since Michael Jordan took over ownership in 2010.

The Hornets and Ball have agreed to a five-year max rookie extension worth up to $260 million, according to a report by. LaMelo Ball is set to continue his basketball career as the face of the Charlotte Hornets after reaching a landmark agreement with the franchise.

Charlotte hornets roster 2021