Within days of a report stating Warriors general manager Bob Myers would soon be traveling to Australia to scout R.J. Hampton and LaMelo Ball, yet another NBA executive was spotted in attendance on Sunday.
Current Charlotte general manager and President of Basketball Operations Mitch Kupchak was caught by cameras during Sunday’s contest between the New Zealand Breakers and Adelaide 36ers. Hampton, one of the premier Next Stars, plays for the Breakers.
With Ball set to play on Monday, Kupchak will almost certainly also take in Illawarra’s game against the Cairns Taipans.
The Hornets have not been linked to Ball in terms of scouting or interest up until Kupchak’s appearance in Australia this weekend. Charlotte has young guards in Malik Monk and Devonte Graham and high-priced signing Terry Rozier.
Ball would provide a face of the rebuild along with PJ Washington and Miles Bridges. But his overlap with other players on the roster would make his fit tricky. Hampton would be less of an awkward fit because of his ability to play both guard positions, but it would lead to a backcourt crowded with young prospects in need of time to develop.
