The Charlotte Hornets have two young stars and believe they can make the playoffs. Their eight-year playoff drought is the longest current streak in the NBA. Charlotte is eager to compete, but they may not quite be ready for their breakout.
The Hornets won just 21 games last season. LaMelo Ball was hurt and little went right. They hope better health, a new coaching staff, and internal growth can make for a breakout campaign. Charlotte has high hopes, and their play will dictate the team's plans.
Most likely, the Hornets will be back in the lottery and looking to get a high selection in a loaded class. Charlotte owes their first-round pick to the Spurs if they make the playoffs. The franchise will likely be shopping several players before the deadline as it tries to add young talent and draft capital.
7. Seth Curry
The veteran sharpshooter is on a one-year minimum contract. If Charlotte is struggling, Curry may be bought out to join a contender, but he is in no rush to leave. His father Dell played ten years for the Hornets. Seth was born and raised in the city. The 34-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years and is happy to be playing for his native team.
Stephen Curry’s young brother has the eight-best 3-point percentage in NBA history at 43.1 percent. Every contender wants more shooting and floor spacing. Seth Curry knocks down open looks and no team is eager to leave him open.
Curry’s health and desire to play for a contender will determine if he leaves Charlotte before the deadline. The Hornets will keep Curry if he is playing a role and the team remains in contention. If they are headed toward the lottery, the 6’1 guard may be on the move.
He is certainly not the only veteran who may be in a different city after Feb. 6.
6. Vasilije Micic
The Hornets acquired Micic in the Gordon Hayward trade at last season’s deadline. He won EuroLeague MVP in 2021 and helped his team win the championship back-to-back years. Micic is a star in Europe, but he struggled to find minutes in Oklahoma City. He got consistent run in Charlotte, but his defense and lack of shooting were problematic.
Micic is set to make $7.7 million this season and has an $8.1 million team option in his contract for the 2025-26 campaign. He can virtually be an expiring contract by the deadline, and Charlotte may look to turn his deal into an upgrade if they are contending.
LaMelo Ball will be the Hornets’ lead ball-handler, and Tre Mann will likely handle the backup minutes. It could leave Micic out of the rotation completely. Charlotte has holes in their roster and could look to turn his contract into a missing piece.
The 30-year-old is fresh off winning an Olympic bronze medal for Serbia. He plans on earning a nightly role and making an impact in Charlotte this season. If not, Micic may be headed back overseas after the 2024-25 season. The Hornets will explore his market before the deadline and may quickly move on from the veteran.
5. Grant Williams
Williams was dumped by the two teams who eventually made the NBA Finals in the same year. Boston decided to let him depart as he reached free agency last summer. The Mavericks acquired him in a sign-and-trade only to move on before the deadline. Dallas traded Williams to get a key piece in their run in P.J. Washington.
Williams was disastrous in Dallas. He had a negative-0.4 value over replacement player (VORP) over 47 games, and things were clearly not working. Williams was significantly better with Charlotte and still has three years remaining on his contract.
The 25-year-old helped the Celtics make the conference finals three times in four years. He has playoff experience and knows how to assist a contender. Williams spaces the floor, defends multiple positions, and can make plays. He could be a key piece of any second unit and figures to draw interest if the Hornets make him available.
Grant Williams is the third-highest-paid player on the Charlotte Hornets' roster heading into the 2024-25 season. He could become a crucial salary-matcher in a larger trade. The franchise needs to put the right pieces around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. If Williams struggles again, he may be on a different roster after the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
4. Cody Martin
The 6’5 wing has struggled to stay healthy. He played just 28 games last season and has 35 under his belt in the last two years. Martin just cannot shake the injury bug, but fans know his potential. His twin brother, Caleb, played a crucial role in the Heat making the NBA Finals in 2023 and is now with the 76ers. Can Cody get healthy and break out in the 2024-25 season?
Martin is set to make $8.1 million next season and has a non-guaranteed $8.6 million salary in 2025-26. It is a bargain contract if he can stay healthy.
Charlotte has plenty of options on the wings. Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Grant Williams expect 30-plus minutes per game. Josh Green and Seth Curry want to be in the nightly rotation. It leaves Martin and rookie lottery selection Tidjane Salaun fighting more second-unit minutes.
Martin has starter potential but may need a fresh start to reach his ceiling. The 6’5 wing must prove he is healthy. If he does, there will be plenty of interest ahead of the deadline. The Hornets are more likely to move on if they are headed towards the lottery, but it is only happening if Martin has rebuilt his value.
3. Tre Mann
The 2021 first-round pick is in the final year of his rookie contract and extension-eligible. Charlotte has a decision to make after acquiring him in the Gordon Hayward trade at the 2024 deadline. Is Mann a long-term piece? Can the two sides work out an extension? Everyone has questions to answer.
Mann averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 31.0 minutes over 28 games with the Hornets last season. The 6’3 guard was starting with LaMelo Ball out, but he figures to back up Charlotte’s All-Star moving forward. Will Mann thrive in that role?
Trading Mann hinges on his contract status. If they cannot work out an extension, the Hornets should look to trade him before the deadline. It ensures they get value for the first-round draft pick.
Tre Mann would be a restricted free agent in the 2025 offseason, but the Charlotte Hornets must avoid overpaying for a backup guard, especially with the new apron rules. Letting him sign an offer sheet elsewhere is risky.
His extension will be sorted before the start of the regular season and will create clarity for the franchise. Do not be surprised to see him traded for the second straight year at the deadline if he is not extended.
2. Nick Richards
Richards is no stranger to trade rumors. There was interest before the trade deadline and again this offseason. The seven-footer is clearly behind Mark Williams in the Hornets’ pecking order, but he has shown plenty of potential and is on a fantastic contract.
The 26-year-old is set to make just $5 million this season and has a fully non-guaranteed $5 million for the 2025-26 campaign. He is the 41st highest-paid center on average value right now after a strong fourth season.
Richards averaged 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 26.3 minutes per game. He made 51 starts with injuries limiting Williams to just 19 contests. Richards is not spacing the floor, but he finishes well inside and has rated as an above-league-average option by win shares per 48 minutes for three straight years.
The Hornets have a quality big man on an affordable contract. There is zero reason to trade him unless an offer is too good to pass up. They got that for P.J. Washington at this year’s deadline and may again before Feb. 6. If Mark Williams is their future at the five, trading Richards for a first-round pick is a wise and likely move as the deadline approaches.
1. Miles Bridges
Bridges just signed a three-year $75 million contract, which prevents him from being traded until Jan. 15. Charlotte has three weeks before the deadline if they want to move on. It was unclear who the franchise was bidding against, but the Hornets decided Bridges was worth keeping in free agency.
The 6’7 forward missed the entire 2022-23 season and off-court issues are a significant concern. Bridges averaged 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 37.4 minutes per game last season, but things could go sour quickly if more legal issues arise.
His talent is unquestionable, and there was rumored interest at the 2024 deadline. Bridges wanted to stay in Charlotte, but if they are headed towards the lottery it may be time to move on. The franchise could get draft capital and would have more flexibility moving forward.
The Charlotte Hornets have several crucial roster decisions to make in the months ahead and could go in multiple directions before the Feb. 6 deadline. Much will depend on the franchise’s performance to begin the season.
If Miles Bridges is the team’s best player, the Hornets won’t be trading him, but a massive shakeup may be in order in the event things go the other way. All fans can do is stay tuned.