Charlotte Hornets: Upgraded roster could help with a playoff push

The Charlotte Hornets have added some firepower to their roster this offseason, making them even more of a playoff team.

For years now, the Charlotte Hornets have not had enough on their team to make it to the playoffs. However, with their offseason moves this year, the team might have one of their best chances to do it this season.

The Hornets concluded their 2019-20 season with a win over the Miami Heat, which gave them an overall record of 23-42. Because of COVID-19, the Hornets’ record, and the team not making the bubble, it ultimately gave the Hornets another year without the playoffs.

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Moreover, the team did get lucky this offseason with receiving the #3 pick in the draft, which was used to draft LaMelo Ball. After drafting Ball, the team then went on to sign Gordon Hayward during free agency while also re-signing Bismack Biyombo.

At the end of last season, the Hornets ranked last in the NBA in points per game with 102.9. Even though the team faced significant changes, the Hornets still managed to stay in it with some good teams toward the end of the season. The Hornets also had the worst shooting percentage in the league too.

With the team’s additions of Ball and Hayward, the Hornets have significantly improved their offense while also hanging on to many of their key offensive contributors. The addition of Hayward helps the team the most since he’s a proven scorer.

Hayward spent last season with the Celtics, averaging 17.4 points and making 1.6 three-pointers per game. Even though he was coming back from an injury that kept him out all of the previous season, he still managed to come back and start in all 52 games that he played in.

Hayward had the best shooting season of his career, as he shot 50% from the floor last season. With his field goal shooting improved, he also had the 4th best three-point shooting season of his career. Hayward “s scoring should significantly improve the team’s scoring next season.

With the addition of Hayward, Ball should also be able to assist the team in many areas significantly. Because of Ball’s size, he should be able to play multiple positions for the team. Just like Hayward, the ability to score should help in the scoring department for the Hornets too.

Even with all of the offensive upgrades, the team’s weakest link still remains the center position. Coach James Borrego already plans on starting Cody Zeller, so this will be an area that fans will need to watch.

The Hornets will still have Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, Malik Monk, and the Martin brothers. If this group can play as well as they did in their final stretch of last season with their upgrades, then this team may have a chance.

The Charlotte Hornets still have a lot to look forward to this season, and fans will need to hope that Ball and Hayward can be enough to push the team into the playoffs. The Hornets are set to begin the 2020-21 season in a couple of weeks.