The Charlotte Hornets have spent the past 21 years searching for a formula for sustainable success. A postseason mainstay during the 1990s, the franchise has failed to make back-to-back trips to the playoffs since its return to Charlotte in 2004.
Now facing the realistic possibility that it will miss the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season in 2025-26, the Hornets must draw inspiration from an unlikely source: The Washington Wizards.
Washington is in the midst of its own postseason drought, having failed to reach the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. What it's accomplished over the last 12 months, however, shouldn't be overshadowed by an admittedly abysmal 18-64 record in 2024-25.
Despite the lack of victories, the Wizards accomplished something the Hornets must be aiming for themselves: A complete cultural overhaul.
Washington parted with polarizing leading scorers Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole in necessary trades. It prioritized veterans who have been labeled as overpaid, but remain among the most respected locker-room presences in the NBA.
In the process, the Wizards have redefined their trajectory and improved the environment in which their young cornerstones will develop—actions the Hornets must seek to emulate.
Hornets must find the right veterans to change the culture in Charlotte
Charlotte is building its roster around a promising duo of players with clear star potential: La'Melo Ball and Brandon Miller. Both have already proven capable of stuffing the stat sheet, and at 23 and 22 respectively, they have their entire careers ahead of them.
Ideally complementing Ball and Miller comes down to more than just talent, however, as the Hornets have a glaring lack of veterans on the roster.
Spencer Dinwiddie, Collin Sexton, and Grant Williams could help address that issue in 2025-26. One simply can't help but acknowledge the manner in which Washington has balanced its roster, however, with proven commodities who know what it takes to win.
That includes the duo of Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart, who helped kickstart the process of changing the way Washington operates.
Middleton, an NBA champion, and Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, made instant impacts after arriving during the 2024-25 season. Washington improved from No. 29 in defensive rating before the trade deadline to No. 23 during the games played after it.
With 188 games of postseason experience between them and positive locker-room reputations, Middleton and Smart made a visible impact on Washington's poise and maturity.
Charlotte must now follow suit, bringing in veterans who understand the importance of defense and the details of what it takes to win at the highest level. That may require trading for a contract that may not necessarily be favorable, but the long-term benefits of a desperately-needed culture change would be immeasurable.
Otherwise, the Hornets may be destined to continue the trend of acquiring promising young talent and not knowing quite how to mold it into a team of substance.