Last season, the Charlotte Hornets finally looked like a real team, rattling off 44 wins and securing a spot in the Play-In tournament. Their offense went from a dismal 29th to fifth in the league, and with the eighth-best point differential, it felt like they had a core finally worth building around. Then, in a move that blindsided everyone, they traded away both LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. That absolutely changes the ceiling for this team, but it does not automatically make them a dumpster fire, despite what some might think. Vegas has them at an Over/Under of 38.5 wins, with the “Over” at -105.
The Big Moves That Shook Up Charlotte
Let’s break down those wild trades, because they reshaped everything. LaMelo Ball, the guy who made their offense hum last season, got shipped to Minnesota. In return, the Hornets brought in Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, multiple first-round swaps, and several second-round picks. Talk about building for the future, right? But losing a guy who made the offense score 12.6 more points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor, that hurts. Coby White is a solid guard, for sure, but he is not Ball when it comes to passing or creating advantages.
And then there was Bridges. He was sent packing to Phoenix, which netted Charlotte Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and another 2033 first-round pick. So, key losses are Ball, Bridges, Josh Green, Tre Mann, and Xavier Tillman. Yeah, that’s a lot of talent walking out the door for a team that just started to find its footing. FanDuel currently pegs them at +10000 to win the NBA Championship, +3300 for the Eastern Conference, and +750 to take the Southeast Division. Those odds are pretty telling about what the experts think of their chances this year.
Why You Shouldn’t Count Them Out (For the Over, At Least)
Despite the massive roster changes, there’s a strong case for taking that Over 38.5 wins. What keeps me interested is the talent they still have and the depth they added. Brandon Miller, who dropped 20.2 points per game last season, and Kon Knueppel, who averaged 18.5 as a rookie and is already looking like one of the league’s top shooters, are now officially on the same squad. Those two are serious young scorers. Plus, the Hornets got deeper. Naz Reid is a real frontcourt scorer who helps with their size issues, and Hannes Steinbach gives them another young big. Allen and O’Neale are crucial additions, bringing real wing depth, shooting, and playoff experience. And Dennis Schröder? He’s a veteran guard who can keep the offense functional when White needs a breather. Over 82 games, that kind of depth absolutely matters.
Charles Lee has done a good job with them, and the roster is genuinely deeper at wing and center. With Miller, Knueppel, White, and Reid, they have enough scoring punch to stay competitive most nights. NBA.com even noted that Charlotte still projects as a competitive team post-Ball trade. I’m not saying they’re suddenly climbing into the top half of the East, or that their ceiling is sky-high, but they only need 39 wins to hit that over. This is still a young team, full of players who are going to compete hard every single regular season game.
So, while the championship odds are a longshot, the real battle for this team will be hitting that 39-win mark. Can these young guns and newly acquired depth pieces prove the doubters wrong? It’s going to be a fascinating season to watch how this overhauled squad carves out its new identity.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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