NBA Analyst Can See Hornets Taking Step Back Next Season After LaMelo Ball Trade

ESPN's Zach Kram can see the Charlotte Hornets taking a step back next season after trading LaMelo Ball.

The Hornets traded Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They also sent Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns. 

Charlotte won 44 games last season and missed the playoffs by one game. Kram believes the Hornets could "finish outside of the top 10" next season.

"In the East, Charlotte could take a step back this season after its scorching finish to the 2025-26 campaign. Trading LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges might have been the best move for the franchise's ultimate long-term plans, but Ball, in particular, was integral to the team's run last season. In the crowded East race, it wouldn't be a surprise for the Hornets to finish outside of the top 10."

The Hornets are expected to start Coby White, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Naz Reid and Moussa Diabate and use Dennis Schroder, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Grant Williams, Hannes Steinbach and Ryan Kalkbrenner as their primary bench players next season.  

Charlotte opens the 2026-27 season on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. The home opener is against the Atlanta Hawks.

Some Charlotte fans weren't happy with the Ball trade, but Hornets president of basketball operations and general manager Jeff Peterson told Marc J. Spears of Andscape he was comfortable trading Ball because of Miller and Knueppel.     

With Ball gone, Miller and Knueppel will see increased usage rates offensively. 

"I’m very comfortable," Peterson said. "Charles and I had a conversation with both of them knowing that these trades can be challenging. Sometimes I do think we forget that we’re human beings dealing with this stuff — lives and its emotions. Those guys are friends and they are in the locker room every day. At the same time, Charles and I kind of explained, We believe in you guys, too. You guys are here. We want to continue to see you guys grow. This is going to challenge you guys. You guys got to continue to get better.' We wouldn’t have made that trade if we didn’t feel comfortable with what they can continue to be developing into."

The Hornets never made the playoffs in the Ball-Bridges era. It will be fascinating to see if Charlotte makes the playoffs next season with White, Miller, Knueppel and Reid leading the way. 

Kram doesn't think that will happen. We'll have to wait and see if he's right or wrong.