The 2022-23 season did not go according to plan for the Charlotte Hornets but it is not stopping them from trying to compete this season. There is a belief internally that this team has the pieces in place to perform significantly better than last season’s disappointing campaign. Hornets General Manager Mitch Kupchack is bullish on the current roster configuration and said the following about their chances in regards to potentially making the postseason.
"“We’re trying to go as fast as we possibly can. I think that we are in a good position. I think we can be a playoff team this year. I’m not necessarily feeling that we have to add a lot more talent. I think the talent is within the system.”"
A lot of their potential success this season hinges on LaMelo Ball. The immediate and long-term success of the franchise depends on the youngest Ball brother making taking the leap from star to superstar. While the designations seem similar, there is a difference between the two. A star is one of many parts of a successful team and a superstar is someone who leads the team. Charlotte believes that Ball can be the latter, although being the former is nothing to scoff at either.
Additionally, there is a lot of faith being placed upon second-overall pick Brandon Miller. Miller’s selection by the Hornets came as a surprise to most, but Charlotte believes he can be a major contributor moving forward. Finding a way to integrate Miller into what they had previously should lead to better results in the upcoming season.
As far as needs go, Kupchack does not believe that there is anything that has to be addressed at this time.
"“I don’t think there’s a major area that needs to be addressed. Maybe you could use a backup ball-handling guard, something like that. But I think what we need is in the system.”"
There is still the possibility that the Hornets could bring back restricted free agent P.J. Washington. Washington’s free-agent exploration has not gone as he would have hoped, remaining unsigned with the Hornets’ qualifying offer still being the only offer presented to him at this time. It does seem that the chances of Washington returning to Charlotte increase the longer he remains unsigned.
With or without Washington, the Hornets should still end up being better in 2023-24. They have the pieces in place to make grow together and take a collective step forward. That is as long as they do not fall victim to Murphy’s Law for a second straight season. Another year of what could have been would be a major problem for an organization looking to return to relevance after seven consecutive years without postseason play.
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.