30 in 30: Can the Charlotte Hornets begin to break a vicious cycle?

Is another rebuild inevitable for the Charlotte Hornets?

Looking at where this franchise is with its current roster, it’s hard not to say that another rebuild may be on the horizon.

Of the Hornets’ projected starting 5, three players may not be part of the team’s long-term plans – Mason Plumlee, P.J. Washington, and Gordon Hayward. When it comes to their roster overall, there are big question marks regarding the future of four of their top seven players.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all if the Hornets got off to a bad start and elected to begin to shop some of their players. For example, there’s a scenario in which the Hornets could trade Washington, Hayward, and Oubre at the NBA Trade Deadline.

(I’m not sure of what to make of Plumlee, who is also on an expiring contract.)

Thankfully, Ball is the lone bright spot for this franchise. And he has the chance to be very good. Coming off a season in which he averaged 20 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds per game on 43 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range; he has a chance to make the jump to stardom this upcoming season.

Through no fault of their own, the Hornets may be destined for another season of irrelevancy. But this could also be the year that Ball makes the big jump in his development.