Charlotte Hornets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson spoke about LaMelo Ball.
Charlotte Hornets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson held his exit interview on Monday and the 35-year-old revealed why he's "so proud" of LaMelo Ball.
"I'm so proud of him, playing 72 games," Peterson said. "It is because of him. He put the work in. Of course, our medical team and coaching staff helped, but this past summer he put the work in. It's not by accident. He put the work in.
"Defensively, I thought his effort on that side of the floor was more intense and sustained. Offensively, there's not much he can't do. He's still relatively young in the league. He's an enormous talent."
Ball played in 72 games for the Hornets this season. He averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 40.7% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line.
A one-time All-Star, Ball has two years remaining on his contract and is eligible to extend for three years, $119.9 million after the NBA Finals, per Bobby Marks of ESPN. The Hornets signed Ball to a five-year, $203 million extension in 2023. Ball will make $40,770,520 next season, $43,582,280 in 2027-28 and $46,394,040 in 2028-29.
Ball finished the 2025-26 season seventh in the NBA in total assists and ninth in assists per game. Former NBA executive and current analyst for The Athletic, John Hollinger, believes Ball should be considered "a candidate for Third-Team All-NBA."
Ball led the NBA in offensive rating since the All-Star break.
"I haven’t heard him get a lot of shine for end-of-season honors, but Ball has played enough games to be eligible (!) and should be a candidate for Third-Team All-NBA," Hollinger wrote.
The Hornets didn't make the playoffs this season, but they have a bright future with Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel leading the way. Don't be surprised if Charlotte makes the playoffs next season.
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