NBA Summer League is set to begin in short order, and Charlotte Hornets fans are feeling some rightful optimism for their team right about now. Jeff Peterson and the Hornets' front office are doing all the right things to turn this organization into a consistent winner.
The approach of the new ownership and management groups runs in stark contrast to the strategies we saw implemented in Charlotte by past regimes. After fans complained for years about this team's direction and the way they went about their business in many facets, we are now seeing a complete and total reversal of that trend.
Let's just look at how this current offseason alone has unfolded, to begin with. It began at exit interview day when Miles Bridges stated that he was planning to be in Charlotte for the whole offseason, not taking any long breaks and getting right back to work.
Assistant coach Chris Jent confirmed that the team has had a strong presence and togetherness since a few short weeks after the 2024-25 season ended as well. "We’ve been in the gym," Jent said on Thursday. "Everyone’s been working. It’s been a full season, as we got done, depending on what people had to do, early May, our whole team was around. So that’s just something we’re about, something coach Lee preaches, and the guys love it.”
Getting everyone together early in the offseason was a solid start, and then all eyes shifted to Peterson and the front office from there. What direction would they take? There were rumors of nearly everyone being on the chopping block, but those all turned out to be mostly baseless speculation. As the big picture came into focus, it became clear that this organization is playing the long game.
The Hornets are taking the right steps to greatness
Fast forward to draft night, and the Hornets pulled off an evening that even neutral commentators had to give praise to. Charlotte used all three of their picks and traded for a fourth one, ending up with a spectacular draft class of Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner.
In addition, they finally put an end to the Mark Williams saga and dealt him to the Phoenix Suns, which allowed them to acquire McNeeley. From there, the Hornets' decision-makers were far from done. On June 29, the team pulled off a stunningly one-sided trade in which they acquired Collin Sexton and a second-round pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic.
There could still be more moves to be made, but as of now, it seems the Hornets wanted to be sure their guard depth was absolutely foolproof. Not only did they go and re-sign Tre Mann for three years and $24 million, but they continued loading up with Pat Connaughton and Spencer Dinwiddie as well. And how could we forget Mason Plumlee on a one-year deal, too?
This is simply the polar opposite offseason from what long-tenured fans of this team are used to. the Hornets have been both aggressive and intentional with their decisions. For years, Hornets fans watched other small market teams rebuild and grow the right way while Charlotte often tried to implement band-aid solutions. But no longer.
As if all the tactical roster moves weren't enough, just look at how things are operating off the court for this organization right now. LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, Collin Sexton and Moussa Diabate were all present when the rookies signed their contracts on Thursday, cheering on their new teammates. The camaraderie and brotherhood within the locker room seems to be growing at an exponential rate, and something truly special is brewing in Charlotte.