Best and worst case scenario for the Hornets in the 2024-25 NBA Season

With the start of the regular season only a few days away, Charlotte Hornets fans are probably eager to watch the squad try to take the league by storm.

As the season moves along, it will be clearer where the Hornets are in their rebuilding journey. Some believe a playoff appearance is possible, which would definitely be a surprising outcome despite the roster featuring potential standouts LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

However, it's more likely that Charlotte will go through another year of development. That result wouldn't be bad at all, as it would mean holding onto the lottery-protected first-round pick in the 2025 draft that it owes the San Antonio Spurs.

Best case scenario

It's understandable for some among the Hornets faithful to yearn for a playoff appearance, as that achievement has been as scarce as hen's teeth since the franchise re-debuted as the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004 and reclaimed its original moniker in 2014. What better way to mark those milestones' 20th and 10th anniversaries, respectively, than with a trip to the playoffs?

However, the best result for the team would be significant improvement in offense and defense. Last season, it ranked near the bottom of the league in both departments.

Coach Charles Lee has preached a fast-paced offensive philosophy that would fit perfectly with cornerstones Ball and Miller. The new coaching staff has also emphasized commitment and accountability on defense, and the players appear to have bought in. How long that lasts remains to be seen.

If the boost on offense and defense leads to a better standing for the Hornets, that would be even more swell. But the hope probably is that a play-in tournament is as far as they go in order to keep the first-round pick in a loaded draft. Going high in the lottery would be icing on the cake for an organization that needs all the fortune it can get.

Worst case scenario

On the other hand, what fans should be wishing for is for Charlotte to finally avoid the injury bug after the team's unfortunate brush with it in the past two years. Training camp and preseason didn't get off to a promising start, as health concerns sidelined various players, including Mark Williams.

On the bright side, the injury report doesn't look awful so far. Moreover, Ball looks like he's in great shape, although he did seem rusty in a couple of preseason contests.

Let's pray that bad luck with injuries is behind the Hornets because the worst that could happen to the team is to see foundational pieces like Ball and Williams spend a lot of time watching from the sidelines again. If they can't shed off the injury-prone label that has plagued them in recent years, the franchise will have more problems to deal with next offseason than just searching for reinforcement to bolster the roster.