Chandler Parsons explains how LaMelo Ball is 'leaving free money on the table'

One slight change could take LaMelo Ball's game to the next level.

Tyler Carmona | Mar 24, 2025

Mar 20, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) talks with head coach Charles Lee during a free throw during the second half against the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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Charlotte Hornets

Although Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has reached career-highs as a scorer this season, two former NBA players think that a change to his play style could elevate his game.

On their show “Run It Back” on FanDuel TV, former NBA players Lou Williams and Chandler Parsons stated that if Ball managed to reach the free-throw line more, he would be even more productive as a scorer.

Among NBA players, Ball has the second-most games with 25+ points and no free-throw attempts.

LaMelo Ball has the 2nd-most games in the NBA with 25+ PTS and ZERO free throw attempts 😱

"Play chess, not checkers." - @TeamLou23

"He'd be a 90% FT shooter, so that's free money he's leaving on the table." - @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/VakWKqPYmB
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 21, 2025

Parsons explained that with Ball’s ability as a free-throw shooter (83.6%), he would grant himself the opportunity for much more low-cost, high-reward points.

Young, dynamic scorers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards have begun to embrace the importance of getting to the line, both rank among the league's top 10 in most free throws attempted this season. Ball, meanwhile, ranks outside the league's top 25.

This season, Ball is averaging a career-high 25.4 points per game, but is also shooting a career-low 40.3% from the field. He is averaging 11.4 three-point attempts per game, which is also a career-high.

Instead of going about his scoring in such a difficult way, it might benefit Ball to simplify things a bit and live in the paint more.