17. Charlotte Hornets
If it had not been for the injuries to LaMelo ball and Gordon Hayward, this team would likely be a shoo-in to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. However, because of those two injuries, the Hornets have struggled over the last couple of weeks and are now in danger of falling out of the top 8 entirely.
This team is likely going to need help to ensure a spot in the playoffs or play-in tournament, but the good news is that LaMelo Ball looks like the real deal. He would’ve won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award had it not been for his injury.
Ball is a star in the making and the Hornets finally have a true face of the franchise to move forward with and a budding star that they can continue to build around. That has to be a great feeling.