LaMelo Ball injury: Trade deadline and ROY implications
- Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
- Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
- Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system
Can the Charlotte Hornets continue their NBA playoff push without star rookie LaMelo Ball?
The Hornets announced Sunday that Ball, the No. 3 overall pick of this year’s draft, has suffered a fractured bone in his right wrist. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ball is expected to miss the rest of the season with the injury, a huge disappointment given how much fun he’s been to watch.
Led by newcomers Ball and Gordon Hayward and a career year from holdover Terry Rozier, Charlotte is in the middle of an Eastern Conference playoff logjam. At 20-21, the Hornets are just 1.5 games out of fourth in the East but also 1.5 games away from sliding to 10th and having to win two play-in games on the road to reach the postseason.
How much will Ball’s injury hurt Charlotte’s playoff push? How should the Hornets approach Thursday’s trade deadline? And what does Ball’s absence mean for the Rookie of the Year race? Let’s take a look at the implications.
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