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2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Charlotte Hornets

Matt Hanifan / NBA / October 23, 2024

2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Charlotte Hornets

The 2024-25 NBA Season has officially arrived! To continue our team season preview series, we will be previewing the Charlotte Hornets! Let’s not waste any more time and jump into it!

What happened last year?

It was a dismal season for the Charlotte Hornets, who finished with the franchise’s worst record (21-61) since 2012-13, when they were the Bobcats. Outside of Brandon Miller’s emergence, there weren’t many bright spots. They were able to offload Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington ahead of the trade deadline to free up more space. But dealt with midseason injuries to LaMelo Ball, Cody Martin and Mark Williams, lending poor results.

Offseason Recap:

Michael Jordan sold his majority ownership stake for around $3 billion last August, so this was the first full offseason under new ownership (Rick Schnall, Gabe Plotkin). Lo and behold, changes were made. Last February, Jeff Peterson was hired as general manager, and his first big move was hiring Boston Celtics lead assistant Charles Lee as the team’s new head coach after Steve Clifford transitioned into a front office role. They stockpiled assets by acquiring two second-round picks with Josh Green in the Klay Thompson sign-and-trade while drafting Tidjane Salaun and KJ Simpson. I didn’t love the Miles Bridges contract for more reasons than one, including his basketball fit, which I’m not sold is there anymore.

Projected Starting 5:

LaMelo Ball, G – When Ball’s on the court, the Hornets play at a 37-win pace, which is still subpar, but good enough to make a play-in team in the East. The problem is that he hasn’t been healthy–especially over the last two seasons, playing a combined 58 games. If the one-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year can stay on the court, then they could be a middle-of-the-pack team instead of a doormat in the East.

Josh Green, G/F – Green adds a defensive-minded presence to a Hornets backcourt that’s lacked defensive fortitude. His 3-point shot is inconsistent, but they may not need him specifically for that.

Brandon Miller, G/F – To some people’s surprise, Miller was excellent last season, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 17.3 points and 4.3 rebounds on 44.0/37.3/82.7 shooting splits.

Miles Bridges, F – Bridges was suspended for the first 10 games of the season due to a domestic violence case; he played in 69 games, finishing as the team’s third-leading scorer while being one of their most productive rebounders.

*Mark Williams, C – Williams has yet to play more than 43 games in each of his first two seasons, and will begin this season injured, but I’m not selling stock yet. He’s an exceptional shot-blocker and provides vertical spacing that could absolutely help Charlotte’s frontcourt. Please stay healthy!

*-recovering from injury

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Notable Reserves:

Grant Williams, F – With Bridges and Miller’s emergence, I don’t believe Williams will begin the season as a starter. Though I’m high on what he can provide from a 3-point shooting aspect, in addition to how he slots in defensively as a physical multi-positional defender.

Nick Richards, C – Richards, who started 51 games last year, will likely be the team’s starter again this season. I want to see him improve his awareness defensively, but his floor is being a very productive (offensive) rebounder with vertical spacing capabilities–similar to Williams.

Cody Martin, F – Martin’s been riddled with injuries each of the last two seasons, but he’s the favorite to be a primary initiator off the bench, assuming his knees don’t flare up.

Biggest X-Factor: LaMelo Ball

It’s a cop-out pick, but the Hornets go as Ball goes. Without Terry Rozier, they don’t have enough options offensively who can create for themselves or others. There’s plenty to be desired with his shot selection and defense, but the floor and ceiling of this team rise when Ball’s active and engaged on the floor. It’s make-or-break time with him in Charlotte.