What’s the plan for the 2023-24 Charlotte Hornets? Where are they in the process of building? They are coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. Considering the franchise, that’s quite the statement. When they started last offseason, the plan was to get over the barrier of the play-in game. The Hornets had made it to the precipice of the postseason in back-to-back seasons. The first thing they did was change the head coach. Out goes James Borrega, and in comes Steve Clifford (again).
But injuries and an arrest in the offseason quickly disabused this Hornets organization of any notion that they would be anything more than a contender to land Victor Wembanyama. They finished 27-55, the fourth-worst record in the league. That designation is important, the three least successful teams all have the same opportunity to land the first pick in the NBA draft. And potentially change the trajectory of their franchise.
The team has several personnel decisions to make. One of which is whether to bring back Kelly Oubre Jr. The 6’7 wing had a career year, averaging the most points he has of any season—20.3 points per game. He had an expanded role with the injuries that surrounded him. He had over 17 shot attempts per game, more than any other season previously.
For a large part of the season, he was mentioned in trade rumors because he was in the final year of his deal. In fact, the hand injury that sidelined him for more than 20 games may have been the only reason he wasn’t wearing a different jersey by the end of the season. Oubre has publicly stated that he wants to come back to Charlotte. And in a reduced role (his seven threes a game is an untenable number for someone the shoots just north of 31% from behind the arc) Oubre could be a valuable veteran for a team that is undergoing a youth movement.