Are Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero better than LaMelo Ball? Judging by their bodies of work so far in their respective careers, it's impossible to argue for the Charlotte Hornets star's case.
Former NBA guard Lou Williams once again talked about Ball on the "Run It Back" show weeks after bringing up the idea of the LA Clippers "making a play" for the 2021 Rookie of the Year.
In a game of start, bench, and cut involving Cunningham, Banchero, and Melo, Williams said the Detroit Pistons star had the highest ceiling among the choices before ranking Banchero above Ball. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year also claimed to have a "good sense of where LaMelo Ball is in his career and what type of player he's going to be." He then asserted that the books of the other two stars are still being written.
LaMelo Ball's list of things to prove wrong is growing
Perhaps the Hornets' cornerstone has already grown accustomed to the criticisms thrown his way since they have never stopped. Of course, there are negative comments about him that he has already dispelled, such as his being a shot-chucker. However, with the way the 2024-25 season went for Ball and Charlotte, even more flak has been tossed at him.
Still, the idea that the guys drafted a year and two after him should light a fire under him. Looking at their talents, Ball is certainly capable of going toe to toe or even surpassing Cunningham and Banchero in player rankings. Perhaps the only hurdles preventing him from catching the fancy of many folks around the league are his constant battles with injuries and Charlotte's inability to climb out of the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference.
It's unclear if the point guard out of Chino Hills, California, will catch wind of Williams' possibly dismissive take about his ceiling. The talking head probably implied that Ball's reputation as a "good stats, bad team" guy would persist. But it was only a few years ago when he helped guide Charlotte to above-.500 winning percentage, so it's not far-fetched to imagine watching him be instrumental in the squad's transformation into a playoff contender.
The 2025-26 campaign appears to be the perfect time for Ball to show that he has more substance to his game than just his flamboyant style of play and grand, though inefficient, stats. With presumably a stronger supporting cast, Melo has the means to prove that the Hornets are ready for a change of course.
What if the Hornets stay in the cellar again next year, though, and Ball cannot refute Williams' opinion? Then, that could give the organization the impetus to reevaluate whether it would still be right to build around the one-time All-Star or hand the reins over to Brandon Miller and whichever draft prospect it decides to bring in this summer.