Will the Charlotte Hornets be better or worse next season? Seems like a simple question to answer but as Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale soon found out, it is a bit complicated.
The Hornets only managed 27 wins last season and several players missed their fair share of games, most notably LaMelo Ball. While Favale notes that the low win total should be relatively easy to surpass, there are some concerns about the current roster construction.
"Then again, there is some risk in taking the rosier view. The Hornets ranked eighth in points allowed per possession after the trade deadline, excelling in all the usual areas of a team coached by Steve Clifford. Can that identity sustain with both LaMelo and a rookie wing logging heavy minutes?"
Steve Clifford is known as an old-school coach. Coaches that fit this description usually command a certain level of defensive proficiency. While Ball is a dynamic offensive player, defense is an area that he has notably struggled in. Additionally, a high amount of minutes being distributed to a rookie in Brandon Miller may also lead to some less-than-optimal defensive performances.
This is less about Miller as a player but is more about the adjustment period for rookies upon entering the NBA. In time, Miller should become a good defender due to his size and the level of awareness he displayed during his time at Alabama, but lacking high-end athleticism could ultimately limit his defensive ceiling.
Even with uncertainty about the viability of the Hornets’ roster, that is still not enough to consider them being worse off in 2023-24. Favale believes that Charlotte will be better and that is an astute observation. When looking at teams who are clear candidates to be more successful next season, the Hornets fit that description quite well.
A full or near-full season of Ball should lead the Hornets is at the top of the list of why the Hornets could have a better season. Additionally, the growth of other younger players with others filling supporting roles should also help their cause. The future is bright in Charlotte and that could come as soon as this upcoming season.
3 players the Hornets need to develop, and 2 they should give up on
The Hornets are chock-full of young talent, but like many talented young teams, they need to figure out who to invest in and who to cut bait on.