Are the Charlotte Hornets a Playoff Team?
This past season the Charlotte Hornets finished with 21 wins and 61 losses. This record was the third-worst in the Eastern Conference and tied for the third-worst record in the whole league. The biggest problem for the Hornets during the 2023-2024 NBA season was not necessarily a lack of talent, but more the mere fact that multiple players on their team could not seem to stay healthy. Star player and starting point guard LaMelo Ball only played in 22 games the whole season due to injury and starting center Mark Williams was not far behind him only playing in 19 games the entire season.
When you have a team that is already extremely young with really no veteran leadership, games are lost and plays are made that really shouldn’t be because of the lack of experience, especially in close games. Unfortunately, this sad reality happens a lot more when you throw injuries in the mix. However, while the Hornet’s roster hasn’t changed much this summer, their young core is going to come back much more developed and healthy this year. Let’s talk about how Charlotte’s development will translate to the standings and stat sheets this coming season.
The Hornets have a sensational point guard in LaMelo Ball. At only 22 years old Ball’s upside is off the charts. The only problem with the young man is that through his first several years in the NBA, he has struggled to play without injury, specifically struggling heavily with ankle problems. As Ball prepares to come back healthy for his fifth season in the NBA you can bet the Hornets are undoubtedly hoping to get a guard that any team in the NBA would love on their roster as long as he can stay healthy.
Starting alongside Ball the Hornets have Brandon Miller. Miller, who was a rookie this past season, was one of the few bright moments for Charlotte. In his rookie season, he averaged over 17 points a night and shot 44% from the field and over 37% from behind the arc. Miller without a doubt would have gotten way more media coverage if he played for a different team and was not sharing the rookie stage with Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembenyama, but his game should not go unnoticed. He is a player who without a doubt can be a 20-plus point-per-game scorer in the NBA. Guarding Miller and Ball every night will be a problem for teams across the league.
Next to Ball and Miller Charlotte has Miles Bridges. Bridges, coming back to Charlotte fresh off a three-year, $75 million deal he signed this summer, averaged 21 points a game, shot over 46% from the field and nearly 35% from three this past season. While Bridges may not have the same upside that Ball and Miller do, he is still a player that can give you over 20 points on any given night and that’s exactly why he just got paid the price he did to stay in Charlotte. Bridges also plays better with stars like Miller and Ball around him. Ball, Miller, and Bridges played less than 10 games together last season. Bridges thrives in open space and with Ball missing time it made it harder for Bridges to attack the rim with spacing and he was forced to take lots of contested late shot clock shots.
One of the most forgotten moves this summer was the Hornets' addition of Josh Green. Green, who played with the Mavericks for the past four seasons, could be destined for a promising role with the Hornets. Green has been known to be a pesky defender and great hustler, which happens to be exactly what the Hornets need. Green will likely start at the two position beside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Green was acquired in the first-ever six-team trade that involved Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. It was once again another brilliant move by the Hornets' new management and it should pay dividends once the season gets underway. One of the positive aspects of Green’s game is his ability to move off the ball, which made Luka Doncic’s life much easier with his backdoor cuts and movement. So, it most definitely should be exciting to watch him in the backcourt with LaMelo Ball.
Closing out the starting lineup for the Hornets is center Mark Williams. Easily one of the Hornet's most underrated young players, Williams is a force on the defensive end. Williams, who played in less than 20 games on the season, is one of the Hornet's most impactful players on both ends of the ball. Williams provides a lob threat for LaMelo Ball and someone who can protect the rim. He’s certainly one of the top young centers in the league at just 22 years old. Nick Richards is a nice insurance as a backup at the center position, but as a starter isn’t ideal. With Williams' injury, Richards started over 50 games.
If there’s one thing the Hornets have lacked in previous seasons it’s the bench and things may be looking in the right direction with the depth this season. First, you have a backup point guard now Vasilije Micic, who played a solid role for the Hornets after the trade deadline. Then, you add a scorer and facilitator like Tre Mann off the bench, who will most likely be the Hornet's sixth man. As well, Cody Martin who missed a lot of time with injury over the last couple of years, but when on the court presence is essential. Can’t forget Grant Williams, who played the best basketball of his career after being traded at the deadline to his hometown team. Williams is one of the many guys who has helped shape the “Hornets DNA” that new coach Charles Lee is looking to enforce. Finally, rounding out the bench you have Nick Richards who provides a solid presence in the interior offensively and defensively.
One of the most beneficial things the Hornets did was add veterans to the team. It’s no secret that the Hornets lacked a veteran voice in the locker room. The Hornets decided to bring back Seth Curry on a one-year deal and Taj Gibson on a one-year deal. Now, that might not seem like much, but having players with years of experience has been proven to make a difference, especially behind the scenes. With one roster spot remaining, the Hornets could use it on another veteran-esque player at the wing position.
It just can’t be forgotten that the Hornets last season were playing Ish Smith, Frank Ntilikina, JT Thor, and Bryce McGowens every game due to the continuous injuries and lack of depth. Having a deeper and more experienced bench will be more useful than many could consider for the Hornets next season. The trade deadline last February for the Hornets could play out to be very crucial and very beneficial down the line.
Well, it’s about time to mention why the Hornets could be a breakout team and that is because of new head coach Charles Lee. Lee coming off of a championship in Boston with the Celtics was ready to get to work with the Charlotte Hornets. Lee has tons of experience winning in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and most recently Boston Celtics. Lee is an engaged coach and one of the more younger coaches in the league. In Sacramento, Lee led the Hornets to a 3-0 record in the Summer League. He’s preached over and over about defense and got the players engaged to give it their all. Coach Lee could be a total game-changer for the Hornets as Steve Clifford, although a solid coach, struggled to get his point across with his older words, playstyle, and voice in the locker room. This year will be a test to see how big of a difference a coach makes to a team.
Now, you didn’t think I forgot, did you? One of the biggest questions for the Hornets is their new rookie from the 2024 NBA Draft, Tidjane Salaun. Salaun, a 6-foot-9 forward from France, was picked by Charlotte with the sixth pick this summer and while Salaun does have a lot of upside, he was a controversial pick by the Charlotte community, to say the least. Salaun became a lottery pick due to his ability to be a very mobile big man and shoot the ball well. As well, Salaun was mostly picked because of his potential upside and his willingness to work hard and compete. While he is super young, just turning 19 years old yesterday, if all things pan out he would be the ideal stretch four to join the starting lineup in Charlotte alongside Ball, Miller, Bridges, and Williams. Will Salaun become that player for the Hornets? However, for the Hornets currently, how much of a role will he have in year one in Charlotte? Is he too raw to play against NBA-level talent and will he spend time in Greensboro with their G-League team?
I don’t know the answer to that question because I can’t predict the future. It is too early in his career to say. It’s also so early before the upcoming NBA season that we all still know anything could happen this season. However, what’s your opinion? Will the Hornets make any trades this year? Does Charlotte have a chance at making the playoffs or will they have another lackluster season with their young core?
