"Charlotte Hornets PG LaMelo Ball averaged a career-high 25.2 PPG last season, along with 7.4 APG and 3.8 3PG. Those are major numbers we love in fantasy hoops, but they lack some context. Deni Avdija and Christian Braun scored more points last season. Bub Carrington and Scotty Pippen Jr. dished out more assists. Gary Trent Jr. drained more 3-pointers. Ultimately, 297 fellows appeared in more NBA games than Ball last season, and 177 played more minutes."
"This theme of extreme absence is hardly new for Ball, a wonderful talent who expertly runs an offense and enjoys many strengths, but staying healthy and active is, unfortunately, not among those traits. The No. 3 selection in the 2020 NBA draft played in 51 games as a rookie, then a surprising 75 games in his second season. Over the past three seasons, Ball has played in a total of 105 games. His 2024-25 campaign ended in March with surgeries on his ankle and wrist."
"Enough about Ball, who is preliminarily going in the third or fourth round. It is optimistic, but with so many durable, productive players on the board, I will pass. We know Ball is a great player, but great players are not enough in fantasy sports. For our purposes in basketball, even in daily leagues in which we can work hard and manipulate volume, we still need more volume and consistency."
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball averaged a career-high 25.2 points, 7.4 assists and 3.8 three-pointers made last season. Despite those numbers, 297 players appeared in more games than Ball while 177 logged more minutes. Ball has a history of missed time: 51 games as a rookie, 75 in his second season, and 105 games across the past three seasons, with the 2024–25 campaign ending in March after ankle and wrist surgeries. Ball's average draft position sits in the third or fourth round, but durability concerns make him a risky fantasy pick. Fantasy roster construction favors players who provide consistent minutes, volume and availability.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]