The Charlotte Hornets roster for the 2024-25 NBA season
Coach: Charles Lee.
Charlotte Hornets moves in 2024 free agency
- Highs: Taj Gibson (1 year – 3.3M) and Josh Green (Mavericks – transfer).
- Draft 2024: Tidjane Salaun (6th | 4 years – 34.03M) and KJ Simpson (42nd | 2 years – two-way).
- Renovaron: Miles Bridges (3 years – 75M) and Seth Curry (1 year – 3.3M).
- Two-way: KJ Simpson (2 years) and Moussa Diabaté (1 year).
- Casualties: Reggie Jackson (76ers), JT Thor (Cavaliers), Bryce McGowens (Blazers), Devonte Graham (Blazers), Amari Bailey (Nets), Aleksej Pokusevski (Partizan – Serbia), Davis Bertans (Dubai Basketball Club – Adriatic League), Leaky Black (cut), Duane Washington Jr. (cut) and Marquis Bolden.
- Charles Lee He took over as coach after the departure of Steve Clifford. He signed for four seasons.
Why can they surprise you?
Brandon Miller was a member of the All-Rookie quintet in 2023-24. Photo: Getty Images.
The expression ‘dark horse’ is used when someone has hidden abilities or ideas. Something that is not recognized by the majority, but that is present and that can happen.
That being said, the Charlotte Hornets are the dark horse of the east. When talking about strong teams in the region, his name is not the first to come up. From the Boston Celtics and through teams such as Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Indiana, Miami, Cleveland and New York, the most important names appear for the appearance in the Playoffs. But, if the squad finally manages to be healthy, the North Carolina State organization is in contention.
Charlotte is coming off a 2023-24 season in which it went 21-61. A campaign marked by another injury to LaMelo Ball as in the previous season. At the same time, with several important players less than 30 games played. Towards the end of the season, he traded PJ Washington and Gordon Hayward to bring in Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic and Grant Williams. The trident showed a better face compared to its previous casts.
Just as the trident strengthened the second unit, the organization retained Miles Bridges and found a great card in rookie Brandon Miller. The latter averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks. He was the best rookie behind Víctor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, earning a place in the ideal rookie quintet.
In short, the franchise took advantage of a ‘losing’ season to strengthen its roster. If they manage to get good returns from their top star, LaMelo Ball, and their starting center, Mark Williams, they will become a very tough team to beat. Will you be able to take advantage of this possibility?
The return of LaMelo Ball
One of the big unknowns for the Charlotte Hornets for 2024-25 involves the health of LaMelo Ball. The point guard played 58 games between the last two campaigns, 22 in 2023-24. He had three ankle injuries in 2022-23 and another two last season.
The perimeter player made the decision to recover for this new course. He worked during the summer mainly on improving his physique. In turn, he chose to use anklets with the goal of giving them more stability.
Charles Lee, the team’s new coach, said of the player’s health: «Injuries are part of the game. We have to do what we can and control what is at our disposal. This summer he was very willing to rehabilitate his ankles. “He will start wearing his anklets and we will evaluate him day by day.”.
If LaMelo can get healthy, he can be an All-Star. In fact, when he was in 2021-22 and played 75 games in the regular phase, he ended up being chosen as an All-Star. A player capable of adding from the shot as well as in game creation. Also, a good rebounder and frontline passing lane defender.
He averaged 23.9 points, 8.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals last season. Also, he shot 43.3% on field goals, 35.5% on three-pointers and 86.5% on free throws. Only five players maintained averages of at least 23 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds last season: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Ja Morant (9 games) and him. Ball maintained similar averages in 2022-23.
LaMelo is an All-Star, franchise player and potential league superstar. For this reason, Charlotte Hornets renewed the bond for five seasons and invested almost 206 million dollars. Total trust in him. If he manages to stay healthy and accompany a team that was able to strengthen itself in the last campaign, he will transform it into one that is difficult to overcome.
Tidjane Salaun, the new rookie of the franchise
«Beyond his competitiveness, you see him play and you realize that he is never afraid. That’s how he is. That is why he is going to be a player that is going to be very important for this organization.”Charles Lee mentioned about Tidjane Salaun after the Charlotte Hornets’ victory over the New York Knicks in the preseason.
A 2.06m power forward who plays as a small forward. He likes to attack the rim, be very aggressive and at 19 years old he has a striking ability to defend. That is why he was chosen in sixth place in the 2024 Draft by the Hornets. The Frenchman had already pleased everyone after his time at Cholet Basket.
Salaun had a great preseason in which he showed himself to be a scorer and good shooter. He maintained an average of more than 40% from three-point range with at least three hits per appearance. He is not expected to have as many pitches once the season starts, but he makes it clear that he has the potential to project the future.
The Frenchman will start from the back of the rotation with Nick Smith Jr., Tre Mann, Cody Martin, Grant Williams and Nick Richards being the main options for Charles Lee. However, based on the versatility of his attack, he can find himself adding a large number of minutes in a short time. If he manages to show a similar face, continue growing from the game without the ball and be accurate with his shot, he will even have a real chance of fighting for a place in the ideal rookie quintets.
Photo: USA Today Sports.
Use: Fernando Torok.
