Behind-the-Scenes Access Revealed How the Hornets Viewed Their Future With LaMelo

I'm still not sure the Charlotte Hornets made the right decision to trade LaMelo Ball.

The timing of the deal didn't make a whole lot of sense, especially after they just put together one of the most impressive stretches we've seen in the NBA with a five-man lineup that produced some historic numbers.

That being said, I do understand wanting to trade Ball while his value is at its highest, aka he's healthy. Getting something now before it becomes a situation where no one would be willing to part with valuable players (and picks), on top of paying his large salary, is smart.

Still, I have a hard time believing reaching the Play-In was the ceiling for the Hornets with Ball.

In the Hornets' Reel Access episode, Jeff Peterson and others brought up several times that they are trying to build a consistent winner.

“The goal is never to make it to the Play-In or make it to the playoffs for a year," Peterson said. "The goal is to get there and have sustainable success. At the end of the day, it was my call to make, and it may not feel good in the moment to the fans and things like that, but at the same time, I do have a vision, and we have a plan to continue to bring winning basketball, consistently winning basketball back to Charlotte.”

He didn't come right out and say it, but he felt like he and the organization didn't think the Hornets would ever get out of Play-In territory with him on the roster. Is that because of his style of play? The way he played in those play-in games? The lack of reliability from a health standpoint?

My guess would be all of the above. When Charlotte needed him to take care of the ball and make shots in those play-in games, he failed to do so. The style of play was fun to watch, but there was no physicality/rim pressure from the point guard spot whatsoever. That's a problem, especially for a team that is trying to make a push deeper into the postseason.

As he gets older and continues to add strength, physicality won't be nearly as troublesome. He may never be elite at getting downhill and finishing through contact, but he will improve.

The main question I have for Jeff is this: Why did he feel like the play-in was the ceiling for this team with Ball as the point guard? This was the first year he stayed healthy for the majority of the season and had legitimate help around him.

Coby White is a solid player and all, but is he going to produce better results than Ball, flanked by Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller? I don't see it, at least not from a play creation standpoint, which is what those other two young guys need out of their point guard.

Again, I get wanting to capitalize on the opportunity to get something for him while you can, but who's to say that young trio couldn't contend for a top spot in the East with more time together?

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