LaMelo

Ball

If you were still holding out hope for some reason, it’s officially time to drop him to the waiver wire. LaMelo has been out since January 26th, will remain sidelined as he recovers from this right ankle injury that has plagued him all season. While he was effective when he was on the floor, he only ended up playing 22 games. Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic will be the starting backcourt for the final few weeks of the year.

Some believed Ball could return to game action on Friday. That isn’t happening, and the point guard should be considered out indefinitely until the Hornets announce differently. Given how this season has gone for Charlotte, fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that Ball will not be able to help them this season.

Ball will miss another contest, and despite participating in Wednesday’s practice, he’s still without a timeline to take the court again. Ball’s next chance to play will come on Tuesday when the Hornets face the Bucks in Milwaukee. Until Ball is cleared to play, Tre Mann remains a must-roster option as Charlotte’s top point guard.

Ball last played on January 26, and though he practiced Wednesday, he’s still not ready to return to the court. We don’t have a firm timeline on Ball’s return, but until he’s back, Tre Mann should continue to start for the shorthanded Hornets. Mann is a must-roster player until further notice.

LaMelo is reportedly “progressing in his treatment and rehab on right ankle” and “doing on court activity and increasing his workload daily”. He hasn’t played since January 26th, and he has only played seven games since November. This update doesn’t tell us much about when he will be back, but when he does return to the floor, he will likely push Tre Mann to the bench.

No surprises here, and Charlotte hasn’t given a clear timeline for his return. Tre Mann, who they acquired at the deadline, will likely step into a large role in this game, though Cody Martin should continue to start and be the primary playmaker.

Ball remains sidelined and does not have a timeline for return. Should Cody Martin be cleared to play, he’ll be the starter. If he remains sidelined, Ish Smith will make another start at point guard. Smith’s fantasy upside is limited in comparison to Martin’s.

Make it six straight games on the sideline for Ball, who is without a stated timeline for return. Cody Martin has recently served as the primary playmaker but is listed as questionable for Monday’s game. Should he also sit, Ish Smith and Nick Smith Jr. are two players whose minutes will increase.

LaMelo will miss a fifth straight game, and he was immediately ruled out without any other tag. For the first two absences, he was questionable. For the next two, he was doubtful. Now, they’re not giving him any chance of playing. Hopefully they will reveal a longer timeline for him if there is one, but Bryce McGowens should continue to start in his place. For the most part, he hasn’t been very productive, though he did post a 15/3/3/4/1 line in 25 minutes on Friday.

Ball will remain out for a fourth straight game, and the Hornets have already announced that Bryce McGowens will remain in the starting unit for this game. He only played 13 minutes on Wednesday, while PJ Washington finished with 26 points and eight rebounds off the bench in 36 minutes. McGowens may start, but he won’t provide value in any format, while Washington should be in for another big night.