CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego is thrilled with what LaMelo Ball became in his rookie NBA season.
That doesn’t mean there’s not room for improvement — lots of improvement, particularly on the defensive end.
Ball is considered a front-runner for NBA Rookie of the Year. To use Borrego’s expression, he was the “engine” of the Hornets’ offense. He is undoubtedly the Hornets’ best long-term asset.
He also entered the NBA at 19 without the benefit of a full summer between the draft and training camp to acclimate to the NBA. At times that showed, whether it was too many turnovers or missed defensive assignments.
“This is all new and fresh for him,” Borrego said in Wednesday’s end-of-season media availability. “I thought he was making some significant steps before the injury (a broken wrist on March 20).
“I thought he showed tremendous growth. Obviously, that was disrupted with the injury. The goal now — one of my top priorities this summer — is to really work with this kid ... work on offense and defense.
“We’ve got to take some major steps, and it starts with his body, and then working through offense and defense.”
Ball is listed at 6-foot-7 and 181 pounds, so he certainly will benefit from additional time in the weight room, which is typical of players the summer following their rookie seasons.
Ball finished the season averaging 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He came back from the broken wrist on May 1, playing the Hornets’ final 11 games. While he never missed another game, he was clearly still feeling aftereffects of the fracture — constantly flexing his wrist between plays and applying a heat wrap when off the court. He acknowledged the joint still being sore during games.
The toughest adjustment for Ball appeared to be at the defensive end, and that’s typical for rookies. Complex NBA defensive schemes are often more challenging than fitting in at the offensive end for talented young players.
“He does have to grow in the defensive area. And I’ve seen growth throughout the season with him,” Borrego said. “He’s a young, 19-year-old guy. He has not had this type of experience before and been held accountable defensively. That’s an area of importance for us.”
Borrego said he has no concern that Ball will strive for that.
“He’s hungry, he’s receptive, he’s coachable,” Borrego said. “He’s got a knack for the game. He’s got intangibles you can’t teach.”
———
The Hornets have four free agents who played significant minutes last season: Center Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo, who are unrestricted, and guards Malik Monk and Devonte Graham, who the Hornets can restrict with qualifying offers.
Monk is a former Hornets lottery pick who general manager Mitch Kupchak called the most talented players on the roster two seasons ago. Monk didn’t sound predisposed to re-signing with Charlotte.
“If they want me here, I’d love to be here,” Monk said, “but I want to feel wanted.”
Zeller has never before been a free agent, spending his first eight seasons as a Hornet. He said his top priority entering free agency is going somewhere he feels valued. He added that he’ll never make a lot of blocks or 3-pointers, but he feels what he does contributes to winning.
Graham said he hasn’t thought much about being a restricted free agent, but added that Ball’s presence — and the likelihood he’d be a backup if he re-signs with the Hornets — isn’t a big deal.
“I’m not a big-ego, ‘Oh, I’ve got to start’ (guy). At the end of the day, I feel like I’ll be on the court playing meaningful minutes,” Graham said.
———
Guard Terry Rozier believes the Hornets’ playoff chances could benefit from some more veterans and “grit” to balance the youth on this roster.
“Just to have extra voices around the young guys,” Rozier said. “When you’re young and in this league, you’re blessed to play, to do something that you love. But you don’t understand that when you get the chance to the battle for the playoffs, there’s nothing like it.”
Rozier was wearing a brace on his right wrist Wednesday. He said he injured himself four games ago against the Los Angeles Clippers, but it’s nothing serious.
———
Hornets small forward Gordon Hayward missed the Hornets’ last 25 games with a sprained right foot. The Hornets went 8-17 in those games.
When Hayward was diagnosed April 3, the Hornets released a statement that he would be reevaluated in approximately four weeks. Hayward said Wednesday that he was advised he’d be out six to eight weeks with the injury. Eight weeks would be this Friday, Hayward noted.
Hayward doesn’t anticipate needing any surgery and expects to be healed to have a productive offseason of training.
