What Does Drafting LaMelo Ball Mean For Terry Rozier?

The Charlotte Hornets drafted LaMelo Ball this year with the intention of him being the team’s point guard moving forward, so what does this mean for Terry Rozier? Entering his second season with the Hornets, Rozier was a player the Hornets had their eyes on for a while and they were able to acquire him from Boston via the Kemba Walker sign-and-trade. 

Last season, Terry Rozier had his best season of his 5-year NBA career, averaging 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and shooting 40.7% from three-point range in 63 games. He ended up being the Hornets second-leading scorer last season, trailing Devonte’ Graham by just 0.2 points per game, and was consistently their best three-point scorer.

Given his offensive abilities, Terry Rozier will definitely still play a major role in the Hornets offense, but could see his minutes decline and he could come off the bench. Charlotte has not made it clear yet whether or not they intend to start LaMelo Ball this season, but by the end of the year, Ball will definitely work his way into the starting rotation as he is too valuable to have on the bench. 

Charlotte is not going to start Rozier, Ball and Graham, meaning someone will be the odd-man out this year in the starting rotation and it could very well end up being Terry Rozier. Being able to have his type of firepower come off the bench, especially with Malik Monk’s struggles over the years, could allow the Hornets to play Rozier at a bunch of different positions on the court and open up the court a little more. 

Rozier is under contract with the Charlotte Hornets through the 2021-22 NBA season and they still plan on using him in a big role over the course of the 2020-21 NBA season, even though they just drafted LaMelo Ball 3rd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.