LaMelo Ball is arguably the most talented player to ever wear the purple and teal uniform of the Charlotte Hornets. Injuries have hampered Ball’s performance for most of his young career, but the young guard’s time on the court is always must-see TV. Ball impresses viewers with Gastonia’s range (shoutout to Eric Collins), otherworldly passing, and a tight handle on a 6-foot-4 frame that, frankly, looks alien.

The most fascinating thing about Ball’s game is that the best is yet to come for the young superstar. At just 22 years old, the Hornets’ starting point guard hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he can do as a ballplayer. He can still improve his ball control, playmaking ability and finishing at the basket, which, frankly, are all small things for a player of his stature.

The best way for Ball to improve is to accentuate his strengths, become a more consistent player from night to night and, most importantly, stay on the court. Ball has followed up his 2021-22 All-Star season, in which he played 75 games, with two seasons in which he played a total of 58 games. Ankle injuries are Ball’s biggest bugbear, and while they have sidelined many players throughout the NBA’s long history, others have overcome chronic ankle ailments and carved out Hall of Fame careers. Steph Curry, for example. Do you know his game?

Let’s say LaMelo figures out how to get his chronic ankle issues under control. The braces he’s wearing in preseason training are a good start. What would that season look like statistically? I think the 2020-21 season could give us a good idea.

Luka Doncic is one of the best offensive players in NBA history. His championship-winning 2023-24 season (33 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists) ended in the NBA Finals, when the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in five games. In a recent episode of the Lowe Post podcast, ESPN’s Zach Lowe drew a comparison between Ball and Doncic.

Lowe has deftly articulated the differences between the two, acknowledging Doncic’s unparalleled feel for the game and his irredeemable offensive output. Saying LaMelo Ball could have a season that matches Doncic’s peak is blasphemy right now, but is it crazy to think Ball could reach 85-90% of Luka Doncic’s peak? In 2021, Doncic averaged 27.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists on 45/35/73 shooting percentages. Ball will likely never match Doncic’s prowess at the basket, but 27.7 points and 8.0 assists at similar (or better) efficiency is absolutely at the high end of Ball’s scoring range.

Statistically, I believe LaMelo Ball would average around 28-30 points, 8-11 assists and 5-7 rebounds in his best season, with Ball’s career shooting percentages of 42/37/83. A season of that statistical magnitude combined with an improved Hornets performance that leads to wins would undoubtedly make Ball a candidate for a spot on an All-NBA team, an honor that has only been given to six Hornets in franchise history.

Jeff Peterson and Charles Lee are moving things in the right direction. The duo tasked with breathing new life into a listless franchise pulled all the strings this summer, but all the good reputation they’ve built will quickly evaporate if the on-court performance doesn’t match the hype. LaMelo Ball is a key player in the Hornets’ present and future, and if the franchise reaches previously unattained heights, a top-tier season from their one-of-one point guard will be a major reason why.

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