ESPN prediction should give the Hornets added motivation

It seems so long ago since the Charlotte Hornets last made the playoffs. In fact, their eight straight seasons missing the playoffs has them boasting the NBA's longest active playoff drought.

To compound Charlotte's woes, it has advanced to the playoffs merely three times in the past two decades, registering just a trio of wins in that span. Unfortunately, the Hornets' offseason moves don't exactly offer hope for the franchise to transform into a contender anytime soon.

Still, there should be no way to go but up for the team after it finished the 2023-24 regular season with a 21-61 record, its worst in terms of win percentage since the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign when it went 7-59.

ESPN predicts the Hornets to go 21-61 again

ESPN doesn't think the Hornets will get better right away, though, as it projected the squad to end up with a 21-61 standing again in its latest NBA predictions.

That might look too harsh because it's difficult to see Charlotte win around 25% of its games again when it saw some improvements in recent months.

Chief among them is the possible clean bill of health for star LaMelo Ball. The former Rookie of the Year appeared in a combined 58 contests in the past two years. However, he did showcase his potential to be one of the greatest floor generals of his generation when he suited up 75 times in the 2021-22 season and earned an All-Star nod that year.

Promising big man Mark Williams is also due for a breakout campaign after spending a significant part of his first two seasons in the NBA on the injured list. When healthy, though, the Duke University product has displayed the potential to be an effective rim-runner who can perfectly complement Ball's playmaking. A piece of good news also met Hornets fans after reports of Williams beginning workouts again made rounds.

Moreover, there is a Big 3 looming in Charlotte, as Brandon Miller has proven why it was worth it for the franchise to grab him with the No. 2 pick in last year's draft. The swingman finished third in the Rookie of the Year race behind Victor Wembanyama and redshirt rookie Chet Holmgren.

Besides the "core nucleus" that the Hornets governor had talked up a couple of months ago, the team also has a variety of role players who could step up to the plate and give the needed sport. Some of those who can potentially contribute as soon as the regular season begins are Tre Mann, Josh Green, Grant Williams, and Nick Richards.

So, based on the roster, the squad looks poised to turn heads once the season starts. New general manager Jeff Peterson and head coach Charles Lee will have to prove they are up to the task of steering a talented roster out of the Eastern Conference's cellar.