It's reasonable to expect the Charlotte Hornets to field a roster to start the 2025-26 regular season different from that of today. Not only do they have to make room for an incoming rookie via the draft, but they have probably realized which among the current players don't fit their roster-building philosophy and timeline.
In addition, the Hornets also have to consider acquiring other pieces through free agency or trade in order to try contending as early as the next campaign. Some might say the rebuild may still take a couple more years to bear fruit. But with LaMelo Ball already on his second contract and the franchise (and its fans) having already endured too many playoff-less seasons, it's time for Buzz City to start making a leap in the standings, even if incremental.
So, in the coming offseason, the front office should bid goodbye to several players and use their roster spots on guys who can help instead.
Josh Green
There was plenty of excitement when Charlotte added Josh Green in the Klay Thompson mega-deal, as the Australian swingman had the potential to be a complementary piece alongside Ball and Brandon Miller. His 3-and-D potential and low-maintenance play style was supposed to be perfect for the supposedly up-and-coming squad.
However, after shooting the ball well from long distance in the first weeks of the regular season, Green's efficiency has regressed. Making matters worse is that he is shooting a career-worst 42.8 percent from the field overall.
Perhaps Green could have proven deserving of staying on the Hornets if his defense was any good. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case this season. After adding a potentially solid point-of-attack defender last trade deadline in Josh Okogie, the Hornets might need to find a taker for the 24-year-old wing and the two years and $28 million remaining on his contract.
Seth Curry
It might be counterintuitive for Charlotte to let go of its best long-range bomber, Seth Curry, who also happens to be a hometown hero. His space-making abilities should make it easier for his star teammates to attack the paint.
Playing time might be scarce for the veteran, though, once the Hornets are at full strength. Besides, it might be better for the rebuilding squad to reserve the roster spot for someone younger and who can serve as insurance for the team in the event that the injury bug strikes again.
Taj Gibson
After a year of partnership, it might be time for Charlotte and Taj Gibson to part ways. Evidently, the 36-year-old big man has nothing left to offer any NBA team on the floor. Now that he has suited up in a total of 1,000 games, it might be time to hang it up.
Maybe the Hornets are thinking of bringing Gibson back to serve as a locker-room leader, especially since his wisdom could be beneficial for the organization's younger players. But let's not kid ourselves; the journeyman doesn't have the same pedigree as Udonis Haslem had with the Miami Heat that allowed him to lock up a roster spot with the franchise for a few seasons despite suiting up for just a handful of contests every year.
Tre Mann
Some might find it unfair to see Tre Mann's name on this kind of list after what he has done for the team in a short period of time. He was ready to contend for the Sixth Man of the Year award before injuries sadly put him on the sidelines. Since then, it had become a guessing game about when he would return to the court. The Hornets didn't even designate him as out for the season, even though the writing was on the wall due to his back issue.
Mann might be revving to bounce back in the 2025-26 campaign. However, there haven't been enough reports about his condition to provide some optimism that he can resume his role in Charlotte in time for the start of the next regular season.
Furthermore, the Hornets have been giving Nick Smith Jr. plenty of burn since the turn of the year. He even had his finest performance in the pro ranks against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, putting up career-highs 28 points and 10 assists. So, it stands to reason that the club has a future laid out for its first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
Having two undersized combo guards on the bench might not be sustainable for Charlotte.
Mark Williams
Does Charlotte plan on keeping Mark Williams on the team even after shipping him away two months ago? The top brass has offered no clues on what it's going to do with its starting center, although some fans have argued that keeping him would be the best course of action, especially since he has returned to form whenever he plays.
Unfortunately, Williams' lack of motor and struggles with protecting the rim may not make him the ideal last line of defense for a squad starved of elite perimeter defense. It's also worth noting that having both him and Ball as two of the Hornets' mainstays might be too much of a risk unless they can prove that their injury-prone days are behind them.
Charlotte then has to make the tough decision of letting Williams go in exchange for assets that can help in its rebuild both now and in the future.