The NBA is expected to hold a preliminary vote this week on potential expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas—an early step that would be a precursor to an expansion draft. For the Hornets, that possibility introduces a tricky dilemma. Expansion teams would be allowed to select players left off existing teams’ protected lists, and Charlotte could only shield eight players.
With a roster full of promising young talent, the Hornets would be at real risk of losing a valuable contributor or two. It’s an unfortunate inevitability for a team that has suddenly become one of the league’s hottest stories, and the idea of having key pieces plucked away just as their rise begins adds an undesirable uncertainty.
Hornets stand to lose the most
If approved, an expansion draft wouldn’t take place for a few years—likely before the 2028–29 season. That timeline lands squarely in the middle of Charlotte’s push toward becoming a legitimate contender. The Hornets have engineered a dramatic turnaround this year, raising expectations for the future and accelerating their competitive window.
The first three protected players feel obvious: LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller. After that, the decisions get complicated. Moussa Diabate and Coby White have strong cases as well, which would leave only three remaining protected spots. That means players like Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Josh Green, and Tidjane Salaun could all be exposed.
Historically, each expansion team could select only one player from any existing roster. With two new franchises potentially entering the league, Charlotte could lose as many as two contributors. For a team on the rise, watching meaningful pieces get snatched away would be a frustrating setback.
Still well down the road
You can make a genuine case for keeping most of Charlotte’s young core intact. The Hornets’ current average age hovers around 25, and by the time the new expansion teams actually take the floor, players like James or Kalkbrenner will have logged multiple seasons of development. Ideally, they’ll be even more valuable assets by then.
With that in mind, the Hornets could very well be in win‑now mode when the expansion draft arrives. The roster might look dramatically different, shaped by sharp free‑agent signings, new impactful rookies, or even a giant blockbuster trade where Jeff Peterson goes all in.
All of this emphasizes the delicate balance Charlotte faces. The organization is building something promising for the first time in a long time, and the timing of an expansion draft introduces a layer of uncertainty that could force tough decisions. Protecting the right players will play a role in determining whether the Hornets can maintain their upward momentum when the league inevitably expands.