After an offseason of restructuring, here’s what the Charlotte Hornets could look like

In the hours leading up to the official start of free agency, when Jeff Peterson discussed the parameters of what the Charlotte Hornets sought, he didn’t leave much to the imagination.

“We need guys on the floor who compete, who work, who are going to give the effort, who are going to defend,” the Hornets president of basketball operations said a little over a month ago, “and then, of course, have some requisite of skill and some passing, shooting.

“So, there’s certainly different metrics that you want those five players to hit on the floor. But a lot of it just comes down to how they complement one another when they’re on the floor.”

Undaunted by the task of altering the team’s makeup in his first offseason in charge, Peterson made sure to change the dynamic by trading for Josh Green. He’s just one of the new additions to a roster assembled for first-year coach Charles Lee, and the Hornets’ offseason restructuring — highlighted with the return of Miles Bridges — is essentially complete.

Since Charlotte still has an open spot on its main roster, tweaks could be made in the future — like bringing in another veteran voice who can play more than one frontline position.

But as it stands, here’s a look at how the 2024-25 version of the Hornets breaks down for Lee rotation-wise:

CHARLOTTE’S STARTING FIVE

LaMelo Ball

Everyone knows he’s the team’s best player and his play typically has a significant role in whether the Hornets win or lose. When he’s at the top of his game, they’re hard to beat.

The problem, as everyone knows, doesn’t really revolve around his talents. It’s about him staying off the injured list and watching from the bench in street clothes instead of being in uniform. He’s logged more than 37 games in a season only once, and that’s just not going to cut it when you’re the team’s highest paid player and the entire offense is built around your strengths, which is pushing the tempo in transition and putting pressure on the defense.

Josh Green

Acquired in the six-team deal from Dallas along with the recently waived Reggie Jackson, his integration into the starting unit will have a huge bearing on how quickly the game opening group comes together.

Green, a speedy 6-5 guard who can run the floor and shoot the 3, can shift to more than one position, especially defensively, and that versatility is something the staff plans on tapping into. His athleticism should also be a big boost in the Hornets’ perimeter play since he can defend taller opponents, which is something the team has had issues with over the years due to the stature of most of their other guards.

Brandon Miller

Watch out because the swingman appears poised for a takeoff year in his second season. He spent time with the USA select team, practicing in Las Vegas with the main Olympic roster, and also fine-tuned his game in the summer league to continue staying sharp.

He’s quickly become one of the team’s most dependable players, and with a full season under his belt and other options around him in 2024-25, he has a chance to really improve upon the impressive numbers that he posted during a campaign that led him to first-team, all-rookie honors.

Miles Bridges

With his contract situation finally behind him after two years, he can now focus on the main task at hand, which is picking up where he left off last season. Who would’ve thought that after a full year of not playing in the NBA due to his legal situation that Bridges would’ve turned out to be so reliable for the Hornets?

But that shows his importance to the team and his symmetry with ball can’t be underestimated. As it stands, particularly with PJ Washington no longer around, Bridges is going to wind up defending players who are bigger, stronger and taller. So staying out of foul trouble and proving he can hold his own nightly with the best power forwards in the game will be his biggest challenge.

Mark Williams

After having his second year derailed with a nagging back injury that kept him out from December for the rest of the season, Williams is champing at the bit to get back out there. The big man has been working hard this summer, getting in countless reps with the new coaching staff to ready himself for what will be a very important third year.

Until landing Williams in the draft in 2022 the Hornets had been searching for a center to plug-in and wreak havoc on the interior. And they sorely missed his rim presence, rebounding and developing offensive repertoire. Similar to Ball, his health is paramount to his success this season.

TOP RESERVES

Grant Williams

The Charlotte native didn’t take long to assimilate himself into his hometown team following the trade from Dallas, rapidly becoming a locker room voice. He has no problem being the on-court enforcer, which paired with him registering career highs in points (10.3), field goals (3.6), 3-pointers (1.7), 2-pointers (2.0), assists (2.3) and made free throws (1.4) puts him among the first people Lee will likely summon off the bench.

Tre Mann

Starting in all 28 games he appeared in with the Hornets after coming over from Oklahoma City, he easily played his way into being part of the team’s future leading into this season, giving them solid depth behind Ball.

The Hornets have a decision to make by the season opener, which is the deadline to lock him up to a rookie extension.

Cody Martin

Following an injury-riddled campaign in 2020 to 2023, he showed signs occasionally last season of getting back to the form that led the Hornets to give him a three-yearcontract. Under Lee, who loves defense, Martin has a chance to be a big part of the rotation.

But he’s going to have to be more consistent and knock down open shots when they’re presented.

Seth Curry

He can still have games where he fills it up. Besides a knack for increasing the floor spacing offensively thanks to his jumper, he provides them with a veteran presence.

Nick Richards

Perhaps no one on the team gained more confidence in 2023-24. With back problems shelving Mark Williams for the bulk of the season, Richards was thrust into the spotlight and starting rotation. He’s a good insurance policy and has to stay out of foul trouble.

Otherwise, the Hornets will be forced to go smaller — perhaps when they don’t want to.

Tidjane Salaun

Young and still raw at 18, the Frenchman possesses some of the physical tools to be a solid NBA player and appears to have a desire to improve. But he has to learn the finer details while also adjusting to basketball — and life — in the states.

A good performance in training camp or an injury to those currently ahead of him in the pecking order could vault him higher up the list of names.

DEEP BENCH

Nick Smith Jr.

During his rookie season, he was mostly on the outside of the rotation and although he did what he needed to do and show in summer league, it’s going to be difficult for him to earn time consistently in Year 2. At least right off the bat anyway.

Vasilije Micić

After averaging 11.6 points and 10.2 assists during a five-game span at the tail end of his first season, the 30-year-old Serbian gave the Hornets reason to keep him around as a nice insurance policy at guard. He’ll be buried behind the likes of Ball and Mann.

Taj Gibson

Signed to a one-year deal, he has one task: be a veteran presence in the locker room and on the bench. He’s here to give the young core the blueprint on how to be a successful professional, which is something that’s been noticeably missing for years.

KJ Simpson

With no summer league action under his belt due to a hamstring injury suffered during the pre-draft process, he’s behind the curve a bit and should spend a good portion of his first season developing in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm.

Moussa Diabaté

Having agreed to a two-way contract, he’s a project and not in the immediate thoughts. The Frenchman dealt with several injuries in 2023-24, including a broken finger, and logged action in just 11 outings with the LA Clippers and 19 games in their G-League affiliate.