In drafting LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets landed one of the most talented players in the draft. However, with both Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier on the roster, two guards who were bright spots last year for the Hornets, Ball’s path to playing time isn’t immediately clear.
While it will take some pressure off Ball to not have to step into the starting lineup from Day 1, an almost inevitable role off the bench to start the season could also hold him back.
However, in his media availability discussing the selection of Ball, Hornets head coach James Borrego noted he anticipates lineups with all three on the court.
“I like the fit,” Borrego said of the fit with Graham. “They’re two playmakers. I like him with Terry as well. We’re going to play all three together. I don’t know how much, but those three will play together. Just like (how) we used Devonte’ off the ball last year, we used Terry off the ball, this is going to be a very positionless style of play as we head into next season. We’re working on it now.”
There is a blueprint to having success with three traditionally ball-dominant guards on the court. Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s lineup featuring Chris Paul, Dennis Schröder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had the best net rating of any five-man lineup with at least 100 minutes played.
There are some similarities between those three guards and the three the Hornets will have next season. Paul anchored the offense with his adeptness in the pick and roll, which Ball has, though to a lesser degree. Graham and Rozier have an ability to play off the ball, which Gilgeous-Alexander and Schröder excelled at. The biggest difference is that Thunder lineup could also defend. When OKC’s three guards shared the court, the Thunder had a defensive rating of 98.6 net rating in 401 minutes together.
It will be a hurdle for the Hornets to overcome but one that could unlock their offense and team for the future.
