🛠️ Miles Bridges’ Impact: A Question Mark
Fresh off signing a 3 year, 75 million dollar deal, Miles Bridges entered this season with much to prove, but his stats suggest he’s falling short of expectations. His shooting efficiency has plummeted—down to 42% from the field and under 29% from three—and he’s scoring fewer points than in any season since 2020-21. While injuries have undoubtedly played a role, the bigger issue might be his lack of a translatable skill for a winning team. His contract, structured to become more team-friendly over time, positions him as a trade asset, but his current play makes it harder to find suitors willing to pay a premium. The Hornets face a tough choice: hold onto him in hopes of improvement or move him for future value at the deadline. He’s the second-highest paid player on the team, any way you look at it, the Hornets need more from Miles.
🏀 LaMelo Ball’s Absence Exposes Hornets’ Major Weakness
LaMelo Ball has been the heartbeat of this Hornets team, but even his brilliance has been hampered by injuries. His floater has been a bright spot, helping him maintain a respectable 50.9% shooting from two-point range, but his ability to impact the game is limited by the team’s lack of consistent shooters around him. Defenses collapse on LaMelo at the rim, neutralizing his playmaking and forcing the offense to stagnate. Add in the time he’s missed due to “injury management,” and it’s clear this season is more about individual growth than team success. If the Hornets can’t surround LaMelo with better talent soon, they risk wasting another year of his prime.
Bottom Line: This isn’t just a rough patch—this feels like a turning point. The trade deadline looms as the Hornets’ best opportunity to salvage something from a season that’s slipping away.
