There are three issues that the Charlotte Hornets must sort out during training camp if they are going to be successful in 2023-24. The issues vary, from a roster transaction to an area that needs improvement on the court and finally, figuring out what their goals for this season are.
1. Find a resolution to the Kai Jones situation
To say that Kai Jones has become a distraction for the Charlotte Hornets is an understatement. The recent online behavior of Jones saw him criticizing teammates, eventually claiming that he could beat Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James in a game of one-on-one.
The complete delusion of Jones regarding his own ability is concerning, but the much larger issue is the relationship between himself and his teammates following this recent string of posts that were less than complimentary. It is incredibly difficult to envision a scenario that sees Jones return to the team and there not be an issue surface sooner rather than later.
Those in charge in Charlotte have to identify what their best path forward will be in this situation. It is impossible not to recognize where Jones falls on the talent spectrum and where he falls on the list of most important players for the franchise moving forward. Spoiler alert, he is much closer to the top than the bottom.