It’s clear that the 2025-26 campaign is an important one for the Charlotte Hornets. After spending the past few years working on amassing a collection of young talent, the Hornets appear set to take a step forward this season. Through eight games, though, it’s been more of the same for Charlotte, as it has posted a 3-5 record to this point.
The leader for the Hornets is none other than star point guard LaMelo Ball, and when this is a big season for Charlotte, it may be an even bigger one for him. Ball is attempting to prove that he can turn the Hornets into a perennial playoff contender, but one anonymous NBA scout doesn’t believe that’s possible for one big reason.
LaMelo Ball Gets Put on Blast Amid Hornets’ Slow Start
The Hornets selected Ball with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft with the hope that he could become the face of their franchise. Ball immediately responded by winning the 2021 Rookie of the Year Award, and he ended up earning an All-Star selection in 2022. While Ball has continually improved as a player, injuries have hampered him, as he hasn’t played in more than 47 games over the past three seasons.
Ball has suited up for six of Charlotte’s first eight games this year, averaging 23.3 points, 9.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 43% from the field. At his best, Ball is a talented three-level scorer who is one of the best playmakers in the league. He is also a strong rebounder, and it is worth noting that both his assist and rebound per game figures are the highest of his career (even though it is a very small sample size).
There are flaws with Ball’s game, though. He’s not a particularly efficient scorer, he has a propensity for turning the ball over, and his effort on defense isn’t always great. According to one NBA scout, he doesn’t believe that Ball is the guy who can take the Hornets to the promised land, simply because he doesn’t care about the game of basketball enough.
“Yes, he’s talented, but he doesn’t take basketball seriously enough,” a Western Conference scout said, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “It’s hard to build a winner with him because of how he plays, and the liberties he takes for himself when he plays. Would someone take a flier on him? For sure. But Charlotte isn’t taking a flier price for him.”
Do the Hornets Have a LaMelo Ball Problem on Their Hands?
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 25: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 25, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 125-121. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
It’s tough to truly judge Ball, largely because a lot has worked against him early in his career. The Hornets have struggled to surround him with talent, and as noted above, injuries have limited his time on the court. With guys like Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Collin Sexton around him, though, Charlotte has enough talent to where it should be winning on a more consistent basis.
It starts with Ball, though, largely because the offense runs through him so much. If he can shore up some of the weaknesses in his game, the Hornets could become a very dangerous team. The problem is that he hasn’t shown an ability to fix his weaknesses; he’s really only improved upon his strengths so far in his career. If Ball can’t help Charlotte at least make a push for a playoff spot this year, serious questions about his future with the team may begin to pop up.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Anonymous NBA Scout Bashes Hornets’ LaMelo Ball — ‘Doesn’t Take Basketball Seriously’ appeared first on Heavy Sports.