Last season went about as well as possible for the Charlotte Hornets. After finishing 19-63 the year prior, expectations were low. When Charlotte started 4-14 last season, it looked like 2025-26 would be more of the same. However, Charlotte began to catch fire.
They won 10 of their last 11 games before the All-Star Break, moving them to a respectable 26-29. From there, they only got better, ultimately finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference.
Most of Charlotte’s surge came from beyond the arc. They led the league in threes made per game with a whopping 16.4 and finished third in percentage.
Rookie Kon Knueppel became everything the Hornets hoped for and more, averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting almost 43% from three. Alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Knueppel completed a dynamic, high-octane trio. Factor in Miles Bridges‘ scoring, Moussa Diabate‘s rebounding, and Coby White leading the charge off the bench, and the Hornets started to look dangerous.
Their 44-38 record would have gotten them seventh in the West. However, in the East, they had to win two Play-In Tournament games to move into the playoffs. In the first game against the Miami Heat, they won a barn-burner with a game-winning layup from Ball. However, the Magic proved to be too much. They defeated the Hornets won by 30.
Ultimately, though, it was a fantastic season for the Hornets. For the first time in years, fans were allowing themselves to be optimistic. Since last season, though, a lot has changed for Charlotte. Fans are now entering the new season with some mixed feelings.
Hornets’ Biggest Offseason Loss: LaMelo Ball
On June 25th, 2026, the Charlotte Hornets traded Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a first-round pick, three first-round swaps, and three seconds. After their best season since 2016, it seemed like Charlotte was throwing it all away.
Ball was the Hornets’ franchise player. He was the team’s heart and soul. He was certainly a character, but Charlotte fans lived and died by him. Questions over whether a team could ever win with Ball at the helm revolved for years. Finally, fans and media alike started to believe the answer might be yes. But still, they sent him away.
At first, the move was shocking. But after some time, it started to make sense.
Sure, he was an incredible shot-maker and an elite passer. However, he had pretty noticeable faults. From the 2022-23 season to the 2024-25 season, Ball played 105 out of the 246 total games. Constant injuries kept him off the court, thwarting the growth of a budding team. Additionally, his defensive ability is severely lacking, and that’s putting it kindly.
Charlotte loses a superstar by trading him away. However, they also lose a lackluster, injury-prone defender whose isolation style and questionable shot selection oftentimes hurt more than it helped.
In addition, the Hornets gain future stability. Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder proved that stockpiling picks can have advantages. Between Naz Reid and the wide array of draft picks, the Hornets may actually be better off now.
Hornets’ Biggest Offseason Addition: Naz Reid
The Ball trade is not just about the Hornets losing their star. It is also about them gaining a rising star in Reid, the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year.
Over the last two years, Reid has averaged 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and a block a game. All the while, he’s been shooting around 37% from three while attempting almost six per game. Meanwhile, he has been doing all this off the bench in under 27 minutes a game.
In Charlotte, Reid will be the surefire starter and a cornerstone of the team. The Hornets are about to harness whatever untapped potential he has.
The Hornets also added several depth pieces: Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale. Charlotte acquired them along with a 2033 first-rounder by trading Bridges and a 2029 first-rounder. Like the Ball trade, this move was initially surprising. Then, it started to click.
Reid can fill right in for Bridges at the four. He is a better shooter, defender, and rim protector. With more minutes, he can match Bridges’ scoring output. White will fill in for Ball at point guard, finalizing the starting five, and leaving only the bench to deal with. And that’s exactly what Charlotte did by bringing in Allen and O’Neale.
The Hornets’ bread and butter comes from beyond the arc. So why not bring in two guys who average about three threes a game? O’Neale is more efficient at about 40%, but Allen gets some grace considering his scoring prowess. He averaged 16.5 points per game last year. Additionally, both are great defenders and fit perfectly with Charlotte’s system.
By bringing in Reid, Allen, and O’Neale, the Hornets are saying goodbye to Ball and Bridges’ hero ball. They are saying hello to efficient, high-octane shooting, tremendous defense, and team-oriented basketball.
Hornets’ Best-Case Scenario Outcome
The front office certainly took a gamble this offseason by trading away Ball and Bridges. But it was a calculated risk. There are still plenty of ways it can go right for Charlotte.
In a perfect world, White steps up as the starting point guard and supplements Ball’s scoring. Though it feels like Ball was scoring at a prolific rate, he’s averaging under 21 points per game for his career. Meanwhile, White was averaging almost 16 points per game in just 19 minutes last year with Charlotte. With White and Reid, the Hornets should still score plenty while taking a step up defensively, largely thanks to Reid.
As for Bridges, Reid will be taking his place in the starting lineup. Plus, Allen alone should match his scoring, as he was averaging just one point less last year. Between Allen and O’Neale’s shooting and defense, the upgrade will be beyond evident. Not to mention, Charlotte had two first-round picks this year, both in the top 20. With Christian Anderson at point and Hannes Steinbach in the frontcourt, depth issues should be put to rest.
It’s unlikely anyone on the team will average more than 25 a game. However, Knueppel, Miller, White, and Reid should all take steps to advance the team. Then, off the bench, they have defense, shooting, and rebounding for days.
Nevertheless, the East is tough. Even in a perfect world, they still likely fall short of the 76ers, Knicks, Celtics, and Cavaliers. However, a fifth or sixth seed is possible if the team keeps shooting like last year and if the starters take a step up. With their depth and well-constructed roster, a surprise first-round win is totally possible, though it is likely their ceiling in a loaded East.
Hornets’ Worst-Case Scenario Outcome
Even with all the potential positives, losing Ball and Bridges is still a massive risk. Charlotte didn’t add anyone to replace the playmaking Ball provided. Outside of White, their point guards consist of a rookie and Dennis Schroder, which could be a problem.
Additionally, as great as Miller, Knueppel, and Reid are, they very well might be supplement pieces. Nobody may step up as the number one guy, and Charlotte remains stuck in mediocrity. Not to mention, chemistry is a massive part of basketball. Removing the franchise player and the longest-tenured player and expecting the team to improve immediately could be wishful thinking.
In this hypothetical, the Hornets fall prey to a powerful East. Teams like the Heat, Pistons, Raptors, and Magic stay strong, while teams like the Wizards and Pacers escape the bottom of the conference. With a superstar-less team in a conference full of superstars, Charlotte falls back out of the Play-In, finishing 11th to 13th.
Hornets’ Biggest Question Heading Into 2026-27 Season
Heading into next season, one big question looms about Charlotte: Can they win without Ball?
Some believe he is not a winning player and that focusing on defense and ball movement will lead to more wins. Others believe Ball’s production, while oftentimes ugly, was what made the Hornets who they are.
Ultimately, time will tell which side is right, but the question will linger until then. To prove the doubters wrong, Charlotte will need some huge strides from their guys. Knueppel will need to establish himself as a go-to guy. White and Reid will need to step up their scoring. Miller will need to take the next step in his game in his fourth season. The Hornets will need some of their many young bench pieces to make a name for themselves.
All in all, Charlotte took a huge risk this offseason. With the season almost here, it’s nearly time to find out if it paid off.
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