Charlotte Hornets: Should LaMelo Ball be a starter?

Reasons why LaMelo Ball should start

It’s a given that Ball would help the starting unit score, Ball is currently averaging 11.5 points per game and dishing 4.2 assists per game in this early part of the season.

Ball has already been excellent as a pick-and-roll playmaker. With a team of lob catchers and shooters, Ball starting would unlock a new dynamic in the starting lineup.

You could arguably play Ball one through three in the starting lineup because of his size at 6’8”, leaving one of Terry Rozier or Devonte’ Graham to be the sixth man.

Yes, Ball’s vision is fantastical but Graham and Gordon Hayward are both good-to-great playmakers. When comparing the starters versus the bench, the Hornets starters average 10.0 assists more per game than the bench.

It’s a small sample but the Hornets’ starters rank within the top 10 in the league of assists per game. Ball could improve that, but the starters currently do that above the league average.

The other reason to start Ball is that you want to develop him. Playing him with better players and against better defenders will hopefully accelerate his development.