The Charlotte Hornets won 44 games last season, a 25-win improvement over the previous year.

So the question begs to be asked: Why would Hornets general manager and executive vice president basketball operations Jeff Peterson break up a team that seemed on the rise by trading its most dynamic offensive player in LaMelo Ball?

Peterson addressed the question on Saturday in Las Vegas where the Hornets are playing Summer League games, saying it was all about the long-term success of the organization.

“These decisions are challenging at times, but when you look at the totality of the season and everything of where we were, it’s important to take an honest look in the mirror of where you guys are as a team,” Peterson said. “And that’s what I had to do at the end of the season. And I just feel like again, the goal is never to compete for a play-in spot. The goal isn’t to get to the play-in or even the playoffs for one year.”

Charlotte reached the play-in tournament and beat Miami at home before getting blown out on the road at Orlando.

Ball, who had struggled with injuries in the past, had one of his best seasons and averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game while finishing second in the league to rookie teammate Kon Knueppel in 3-pointers made with 272.

However, the Hornets failed to make the playoffs in the six seasons since Ball came to them as the No. 3 overall pick in 2020.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that we had a successful season last year by a lot of people’s standards, and of course LaMelo was a huge part of that,” Peterson said. “But again, sometimes these decisions, they can be challenging. But ultimately I do feel a responsibility to the organization and to the fans really across the world of the Hornets to do what’s best for the long term of the franchise.”

Peterson believes that acquiring Naz Reid and draft picks from Minnesota for Ball will give the Hornets more flexibility moving forward as they continue to build.