While many fans might be eager to witness the Charlotte Hornets participate in the playoffs, they may have to wait a bit more because the team is still in its player development phase.
Of course, that isn't necessarily a bad thing because rushing rebuilds can end horrendously for some teams. For example, the Hornets have been stuck in an extended loop of mediocrity.
The future is bright, though, as the franchise appears to have the pieces needed to one day become a contender. From a group of aspiring stars and elite role players to a coach with experience helping lead successful championship-winning NBA organizations, Charlotte might be just a few pieces and years away from making some serious noise in the Eastern Conference.
Hornets draw comparisons to OKC
On Monday, Tre Mann had the opportunity to speak on media day as a member of the Hornets. He joined the squad at last season's trade deadline after the Oklahoma City Thunder shipped him to North Carolina in the deal that brought Gordon Hayward to the Western Conference powerhouse.
The young guard has had to cope with having to adapt to his circumstances, as he went from being a key part of the Thunder's rotation in his first two years in the league to being outside of it. Then, Mann was sent from an OKC team with a legitimate title shot to a draft lottery-bound Eastern Conference squad.
Still, he appears to be in good spirits playing for Charlotte, believing that his current team has the potential to follow in the Thunder's footsteps. The 23-year-old playmaker, who could have a significant role in the 2024-25 campaign, said about the Hornets during media day, "I can't say we're going to have the same success as OKC, but I do see some similarities."
Any NBA organization looking to build from scratch should turn to Oklahoma City for inspiration. Last season's Western Conference top seed was able to rebuild successfully by identifying the perfect cornerstone to form its roster around (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), drafting well (Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, to name a couple), and bringing in the right coaching staff to helm the crew.
Patience has clearly paid off for the once-fledgling franchise, as some oddsmakers have the Thunder as the West team with the highest likelihood of clinching the championship this coming season.
Will the Hornets also experience such a massive turnaround in the future? Considering they have made some moves that mirror some of the decisions Oklahoma City has made in the recent past, it wouldn't be surprising to see Charlotte return to relevance soon enough.