2 Youngsters’ roles with the Hornets this season have become clear

The Charlotte Hornets appear to have the roster pieces and an inspired coaching staff to try to book a playoff trip for the first time since 2016 and end the longest active playoff drought in the NBA. However, it might be wiser for the franchise to practice patience and not rush into its rebuild.

One reason is that the Hornets owe a lottery-protected 2025 first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs. They could regret missing out on a possible game-changing talent in next year's draft if they try for a playoff spot.

Moreover, developing the young talents on the roster should be one of Charlotte's priorities as it looks to become a long-term contender.

KJ Simpson's and Moussa Diabate's roles with the Hornets have become clear

Among the prospects Charlotte seems to be high on are KJ Simpson and Moussa Diabate.

General manager Jeff Peterson specifically mentioned the pair during DJ Bakker's introductory press conference as the new head coach of the organization's G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Peterson said Simpson and Diabate should expect — and are apparently excited — to spend time with Bakker in the G League.

Simpson is the Hornets' less-heralded selection in the 2024 draft. The attention in the Hive has been on Tidjane Salaun, who could be planning to immediately become a contributor to the squad as early as this season. On the other hand, the former University of Colorado Boulder point guard was chosen in the second round, a move that slipped under the radar among many fans.

He had a promising three-year stay in college, where he averaged a team-high 19.7 points while dishing out 4.9 assists per contest. It's worth noting the California native shot 43.4% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line. Putting up those numbers could be a sign that he is ready to be a rotation player in the NBA.

However, Charlotte already seems to have several playmakers ahead of him on the depth chart, including LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann, and Vasilije Micic. So, it might be better for Simpson to continue his development with Bakker on the Swarm.

Meanwhile, Diabate was one of the Hornets' 2024 offseason acquisitions. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022, although he has spent more time in the G League since then.

The young Frenchman could eventually carve a niche in the NBA as a two-way power forward/center, given his impressive numbers with the Ontario Clippers (15.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per match in the 2023-24 campaign). But for now, he is set to wreak havoc in the G League for the Swarm while likely serving as insurance for the Hornets in the event of injuries to their big men.

Perhaps the promising youngsters can defy expectations this season, and they will have plenty of opportunities to do so in the coming months.