The Charlotte Hornets do not hold LiAngelo Ball’s G League rights. Here’s why

If LiAngelo Ball is going to be a member of the Charlotte Hornets’ G League team, it will have to happen through Saturday’s draft.

Due to a procedural issue, the Hornets do not own Ball’s G League rights as initially believed last week, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Observer on Friday. The Hornets signed Ball to a non-guaranteed contract last Thursday and waived him a day later just so they could retain his rights and send him to Greensboro to play for the Swarm.

However, because Ball inked a G League contract prior to the Hornets’ signing, he’s been placed in the overall draft pool. He could still wind up with the Swarm, but it would be via the draft instead.

Greensboro has three first-round picks, two of which were acquired in trades. The Swarm holds the No. 14, 23 and 26 selections in the draft.

When is the G League draft?

The G League draft is three rounds and starts at 1 p.m. Saturday.