Good vibes were immaculate in the weeks leading to the Charlotte Hornets' training camp this year. Although the team doesn't give off optimism that it could be a contender this season, it has at least a solid foundation to build on.
Led by an aspiring star duo of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, the Hornets' roster also has a nice blend of promising youngsters and veterans who can serve as locker room leaders.
One of Charlotte's most essential pieces is Mark Williams, its first-round pick in 2022. Despite having limited appearances, the 22-year-old big man has made a strong case as one of the franchise's untouchable players.
Mark Williams' latest injury is a bad sign for the Hornets
Unfortunately, Williams is set to miss the start of training camp after the organization announced he sustained a strained tendon in his left foot while undergoing an offseason workout on Thursday. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
OFFICIAL: Center Mark Williams suffered a strained tendon in his left foot during an offseason workout yesterday.
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 28, 2024
It confirmed the rumor that the center was seen wearing a walking boot on his left foot in a hospital near the team's facility. He had just joined the squad's internal media day, and his photos and videos didn't make it appear like something was physically wrong.
The ailment is just the latest entry on Williams' already relatively lengthy injury history. Considering that he has already missed a lot of matches in his first two seasons in the league, questions have now arisen about whether he can ever get a clean bill of health.
The good news is that Williams still has plenty of time to get his body right, and the franchise is comfortable with his long-term health prognosis. On the flip side, some folks are wondering whether Charlotte drafted its own version of Greg Oden.
Perhaps it doesn't matter as much this season, as the team might be better off focusing on player development instead of trying to rack up the wins and reach the playoffs. It's worth noting that booking a trip to the playoffs will result in the Hornets having to surrender their first-round pick in next year's draft, which seemingly has a deep collection of talented prospects led by Cooper Flagg.
Still, it would have boded well for Charlotte if Williams could join the upcoming training camp early. But now, he will not get the benefit of learning his role and establishing chemistry with his teammates for a couple of weeks. It is also possible that the Virginia native's physical condition will continue to be a concern in this campaign and beyond.