The Hornets: A Long Suffering Road to [Possible] Success

Published on 8 May 2024 at 08:20

        The Charlotte Hornets have been the laughing stock of the league for the last decade, and it is well justified. Let's take a look at the franchise and how they ended up in this situation. They last made the playoffs in 2016, only to lose in the first round. The only consistent talent they had, Kemba Walker, was allowed to walk away to Boston, with Terry Rozier being the only return for the Hornets. Their previous owner, Michael Jordan, was not able to carry his basketball greatness into the front office aspect of the league. He and former GMs Rich Cho and Mitch Kupchak were abysmal on draft day.

 

Draft Flunks

       The Hornets have had some laughable picks. With the 9th pick in the 2008 draft they selected D.J. Augustine, passing on Brook Lopez. They double downed on their night trading their 2010 first rounder for Alexis Ajinça at pick 20, who was followed by Ryan Anderson, George Hill, Nicolas Batum, and Serge Ibaka, all far better players. In 2011, they selected Kemba Walker, a diamond in the pile of rubbish draft picks to follow. In 2012 they selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist over Bradley Beal and Andre Drummond. In 2013 it was Cody Zeller over CJ McCollum and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. 2014 it was Noah Vonleh and Shabazz Napier over Zach Lavine and Bogdon Bogdanovic respectively. In 2015, the Hornets had the 9th pick in the draft. Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics offered 4 first round picks for Charlotte's #9 pick. The Hornets declined. Why? Hornets Vice Chairman, Curtis Pope, explained "Even if someone wants to give me first-round picks, what am I going to do with them?"  I am going to let you think about what was just said, and let that be an overview of the dysfunction of this franchise. The Hornets not only used this pick to select Frank Kaminsky, their third center drafted in three years, but they took him over Myles Turner and Devin Booker. But wait, it gets worse! One of the picks that Boston offered turned out to be #1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. One that Boston used to trade down in order to select Jayson Tatum. The Hornets held the 11th pick in that same draft, and selected Malik Monk over Donovan Mitchell. It was the same story in 2018: with the 11th pick the Hornets selected MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but then traded him for the later controversial Miles Bridges, who has shown flashes of being a solid piece for the Hornets, but will never live up to Shai's stardom. Finally, in 2019, the Hornets selected P.J. Washington over Tyler Herro, Jordan Poole, and Nicolas Claxton.

 

free Agency Vacancy

       In the summer of 2020, the Hornets signed Gordon Hayward to an atrocious four-year 120 million dollar contract. The Hornets had just let go of Kemba Walker and were desperate for any kind of star power in Charlotte, but Hayward was not the solution. In his four years since being signed, Hayward did not have a single season with the Hornets with more than 50 games played, and he was traded to Oklahoma City at the trade deadline this year.

The only other notable names the Hornets signed in the last 5 years were Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year deal in 2021, and Dennis Smith Jr. to a one-year deal in 2022. Both players were solid pieces around the young teams they played for, but neither player had any lasting impact on the Hornets.

 

The bright side

       In 2020, the Hornets selected LaMelo Ball with the third pick. LaMelo has shown flashes of future greatness in this league... when he is healthy. LaMelo has suffered significant injuries in 4 out of his 5 seasons in the NBA. However, when on the court, LaMelo has proven why he is the future of the Hornets. He won Rookie of the Year in 2020, outperforming budding superstar Anthony Edwards. Also, in 2021, LaMelo's sole season without injury cutting his time short, he was an All-Star. 

 

       In 2022, the Hornets took Mark Williams at pick 15. Williams played behind Mason Plumlee in his rookie year, but after Plumlee's departure at the trade deadline, Mark Williams started the remainder of the season, and solidified himself as a starter for years to come. Unfortunately, Mark Williams injured his back early into the 2023 season, and was sidelined for the remainder of the year.

 

       In 2023, real changes began for the Hornets. In the summer of 2023, following another disappointing year, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake of the Hornets to Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin. However, as one last hurrah, Jordan and Mitch Kupchak Hornets struck gold, selecting Brandon Miller at pick #2 in the draft. Miller was one of the very few gems in the Hornets past season, and his performance might have earned him Rookie of the Year honors had he not been up against a literal alien and a guy who had been in the league an extra year. Miller was wonderful in his first year in the league, he contributed in every facet of the game, and he drew media attention to a team that rarely has it. The 2023-24 season also marked the end of Mitch Kupchak's tenure as general manager of the organization, but he didn't leave without leaving his mark. This year's trade deadline was one of the most successful in Hornets history. They traded Terry Rozier for a later bought out Kyle Lowry and, more significantly, a 2027 first round pick from Miami. Then, they finally got rid of Gordon Hayward's contract, and got some promising players in return: 23 year old Tre Mann, 31 year old Davis Bertans, and 30 year old rookie Vasilije Micic. Lastly, in exchange for PJ Washington, the Hornets received Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 first round pick from Dallas. All five of the players the Hornets acquired at the deadline had immediate impacts on the team, and though their record doesn't show it, they brought excitement that Hornets fans have not felt in years.

 

New management

       At the end of the season, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford stepped down, opening up an opportunity for the Hornets to hire successful Celtics assistant Charles Lee. Lee has been working as an assistant coach for 10 years, and he has sat on the bench of several high achieving teams, including the champion 2021 Milwaukee Bucks. Also, Following the departure of Mitch Kupchak, the Hornets hired Jeff Peterson, a previous executive for the Brooklyn Nets who has already hired a new head coach, and is now tasked with handling a top lottery pick and leading the franchise into a crucial summer and new season. 

 

The Keys to success

1. LaMelo's availability:

   LaMelo Ball spoke to the media after the season ended, explaining that he would be trying out some new things this summer - including ankle braces.                   Obviously the biggest concern for LaMelo is his availability, and him finally overcoming his stubbornness towards wearing ankle braces looks like a huge step     in the right direction. 

 

2. Mark Williams's return:

    Mark Williams recently ended his rehab for his back injury, and is back training for next season. Mark mentioned after the season that he is aiming to play            every game next season, encouraging words for anyone worried about his health or the future of the Hornets.

 

3. Brandon Miller's development

    Brandon Miller is a star. Period. He mentioned that his goal this summer is to keep building on his game, and more importantly, building muscle. If Brandon        Miller can show up next season with more muscle, he could lead the Hornets to the playoffs alongside LaMelo. 

 

4. Miles Bridges back next season:

    Miles Bridges was one of only three Hornets who met the 65 game threshold this season. Bridges did not look entirely like his former self, but he still                    averaged 21 points per game in a season where he did not have much help. Bridges has publicly stated that he wishes to be back with the Hornets next season,      and the Hornets have shown mutual interest. It will be exciting to see how Bridges can contribute with a healthy roster next season, and act as a "vet" for this        young team.

 

5. A top lottery pick:

    Still awaiting the results of the draft lottery on Sunday, May 12, the Hornets are positioned to add another potential franchise cornerstone in the draft. The            Hornets have the third best odds in the lottery, setting them up for a top pick in this year's draft. While some, including myself, have labeled this draft class as      one of the weaker ones in recent history, I think there are plenty of players that could fill the holes in the current Hornets roster. My favorite fit for this                current Hornets roster is Stephon Castle, a shooting guard from the national champion UConn Huskies. Castle can fit perfectly in a backcourt with LaMelo.        Castle great downhill scorer, and, more importantly, he is a lockdown defender, which is why he would be perfect playing next to LaMelo. What LaMelo              lacks in defense, Castle makes up for; and what Castle lacks in outside scoring, LaMelo makes up for. It is still early, and the team still has a lot of question              marks, but a lineup of Ball, Castle, Miller, Bridges, and Williams could be a force to be reckoned with in the East.

 

6. Depth:

    The moves the Hornets made at the trade deadline solidified a bench unit that was once one of the weakest in the league. Vasilije Micic proved that he could         be an excellent floor general in the absence of LaMelo Ball. Grant Williams showed that he was a vocal leader and key contributer for the Hornets on the               court. Davis Bertans and Seth Curry, whose futures with the team are both looming, displayed their lights out shooting off the bench. Tre Mann started most       games post trade deadline, and proved that he could be a sparkplug next to the Hornet's stars. Nick Richards and Cody Martin, players with experience                   starting and coming off the bench, have shown numerous times that they can be key role players for the team. Not to mention the young Nick Smith Jr. and         JT Thor, who both played very well at the end of the season, making their case as to why they should be rotational pieces for years to come.

 

       There's still a long way to go in Charlotte, but with blooming star-power, a revamped bench, and new management, things are looking up for the Hornets.

 

        Noah Leibovitz    


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