Just like that, the 2021-22 NBA season is almost upon us as the calendar approaches the month of October. That also means media days are underway for reporters to talk with the team about the upcoming season. The Charlotte Hornets’ official media day took place on Monday, and after showing plenty of promise last season by making it to the play-in game, the expectations are even higher this year.
Last season, Charlotte floated around the fourth seed for the first half of the season until Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball got injured, and there were plenty of other factors in the first season during a COVID world that made last season tough to navigate.
The Hornets didn’t make any major moves this offseason but did some reconstructing with the hope that Hayward will remain healthy and Ball, Miles Bridges, and PJ Washington take another leap forward.
Devonte’ Graham, Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, and Malik Monk have left town, and Kelly Oubre Jr., Ish Smith, James Bouknight, and Mason Plumlee are expected to step in as impact players.
Charlotte hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016, and there’s no question that this season has expectations to finally put an end to that drought.
Here is a look at some of the most notable takeaways from Monday’s media day.