PJ Hall has played just two games for the Charlotte Hornets. Even so, it looks like they should be starting to plan now how to create a roster spot for when they convert his two-way deal to a standard contract.
It might be too early to assume that Hall should be a part of the Hornets' 15-man roster moving forward. After all, a week has not yet passed since he signed his two-way contract. Last season, it took over six months before the Hornets promoted Moussa Diabate, even after he showed early into the 2024-25 campaign that they had unearthed a gem in the 2024 free agency.
Charlotte might have to stay on a similar course regarding Hall. It wouldn't be a good idea to commit to the young big man right now. That would necessitate cutting or trading someone else to free up roster space for him.
However, based on what we've seen from him, he has the potential to remain in Charlotte for a long time.
PJ Hall's possible fit is difficult to deny
In his Hornets debut, Hall immediately established what he can bring to the table. In nine minutes of game time against the Orlando Magic, he put up seven points and four rebounds. His two field goals were off a pick-and-roll play, where he scored over a switching Tristan Da Silva inside the paint, and an uncontested slam following a backdoor cut to the rim.
Hall's second game as a Hornet was more low-key, recording just three points and two rebounds in 16 minutes. However, his lone field goal saw him dunk over two Milwaukee Bucks defenders, Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma.
What was not seen on the box score, though, was Hall's high motor on both ends of the floor. He plays with incredible grit and energy that should help make him a crowd favorite at the Hive. In addition, he might already be the Hornets' best screener, given his heft and quickness.
A possible hurdle to Hall's odds of getting offered a standard contract is his stature. Standing at 6-8, he could have a hard time matching up against the league's bigger centers. On the one hand, we've seen undersized fives who thrive in protecting the rim and anchoring their team's defense.
Some fans may be wondering how seamless a fit Hall would be if Charlotte already has two productive pivots in Ryan Kalkbrenner and Diabate. Well, he could easily slot into the third-stringer role and step up when the situation calls for it — better him than Mason Plumlee, right?
In addition, there's a reality in which Hall develops his game enough to moonlight as a power forward and take to the floor alongside either Kaklbrenner or Diabate. He is agile enough to do so, and his underrated shooting touch could help space the floor in such a scenario.
For now, the Hornets can afford to remain patient with the South Carolina native. But it's not hard to imagine him repping the purple and teal in the coming years.