Following a disappointing end to the NBA season, which saw the Charlotte Hornets finish in arguably the worst spot as they did not come close to making the playoffs or receive a top-10 pick, the new management of Mitch Kupchak along with new head coach James Borrego look to start a winning regime in the Queen City.
The Hornets got busy quick in the offseason by trading Dwight Howard to his fourth team in four years, sending the big man to the Brooklyn Nets for center Timofey Mozgov, two second-round picks and $5 million. The Hornets stayed active though as they then traded Mozgov in a three-team deal that saw them receive center Bismack Biyombo, who was their own pick by trade in the 2011 NBA draft.
Biyombo has never been much of a presence on offense, where he only averaged 5.7 points per game last season, but will look to help bolster the rebounding and defense lost in the Howard deal.
In one of the most surprising moves of the offseason, Tony Parker left the San Antonio Spurs for the Hornets after spending the first 17 years of his career with them. Many thought they would never see Parker don a jersey other than the Spurs, but with Borrego being a former Spurs assistant, the decision had some merit. The six-time All-Star and four-time NBA Champion looks to add veteran leadership and solid ball handling for the young Hornets backcourt.
As a former finals MVP, Parker has a lot to offer the young Hornets players who have not experienced a winning environment in their professional careers. Teaming up with fellow French national and NBA vet Nicolas Batum will also allow for veteran leadership and foster team chemistry within the locker room.
The Hornets kept making moves and were active during the draft as well as they traded their 11th pick for the Los Angeles Clippers’ 12th pick and two future second-round picks. They ended up receiving Michigan State product Miles Bridges, who used an extra year in college in order to be NBA ready. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Bridge looks to immediately make an impact with his athleticism and offensive versatility.
Charlotte returns four double-digit scorers to the rotation and looks to improve on an offense that rated 10th last season in scoring. Last year’s first-round pick, Malik Monk, hopes to join the rotation this season and has been doing his best in the Las Vega Summer League to prove that he belongs. The 6-foot-3 guard dropped 23 points on 9 for 16 shooting in his first game before injuring his thumb.
There has been much speculation about whether or not Kemba Walker is going to stay with the team through this season, but if the 28 year-old All-Star is not moved, he hopes to bring Buzz City its first playoff appearance since 2016. Walker lead the team in points, assists and steals last season.
With Lebron James moving to the Western Conference and no superstars coming to the Eastern Conference (thus far), this season provides great opportunity for the Hornets to make a run at the playoffs.
