Can Anyone Save the Hornets?

It would be an understatement to say the Charlotte Hornets have struggled to begin their season.

Charles Lee’s squad is 7-22 on the season and has lost 17 of their last 20 games. Though the team might be trying to Capture the Flagg, they could try to bring in some pieces to fix their struggling roster.

Lonzo Ball

Charlotte has been a destination for the Ball family over the previous years. LaMelo was drafted in 2020, and LiAngelo played for the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets G League squad, from 2021 to 2023.

The Chicago Bulls have made it very clear that they want to move on from the veterans on their team to focus on a rebuild. Ball has played twelve total games dating back to the 2021-22 season and is still due $21 million this season.

Lonzo has not regained his form yet, averaging only 5.2 points a night on 31% from the field and 28% from three. However, the former No. 2 overall pick is still a solid playmaker, averaging 3.7 assists per contest.

The 27-year-old would fit perfectly into the struggling Hornets lineup, which desperately needs another playmaking guard besides LaMelo Ball with Tre Mann injured.

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Malik Beasley

The Hornets also badly need shooting help. Charlotte is shooting 34% from three on around 42 attempts a night, so a three-point specialist would be perfect for the roster.

No one fits better than Malik Beasley.

The 12-17 Pistons are not exactly making a playoff push, and Beasley is on a one-year deal worth $6 million. This is one of the most tradable contracts in the league right now.

Beasley is averaging 16.4 points on 41.3% from three. The 28-year-old is shooting 9.3 threes a game, which is 10th in the league (ironically, the top two players in attempts are LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller).

Beasley would perfectly suit the Hornets’ needs. His three-point shooting would be extremely valuable for a team that has struggled with that aspect. His ability to score this year would also benefit the Hornets, who are currently 18th in the league in bench scoring.

Zach LaVine

Although unrealistic, LaVine has been a bright spot on a Bulls team with few bright spots. The former Slam Dunk Champion averages 21.7 points per game on 49.8% from the field and 43.6% from three.

Ball and Miller have been strong scorers for the team, combining for 51 points a night. Miles Bridges was expected to be the team’s third scorer, though he has been disappointing this season. The 26-year-old forward has regressed in points, field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, steals, assists, rebounds, and nearly every statistic.

The Hornets desperately need a third scorer to take pressure off Ball and Miller, and Zach LaVine would be perfect. LaVine’s ability to shoot would also benefit a team that has struggled to shoot. He is currently 34th in the league in three-point percentage, which is 30 spots ahead of the first Hornet on the list (Seth Curry).

The Hornets have plenty of options ahead of the trade deadline, and though Cooper Flagg is enticing, they must try to help fix the roster.