With the NBA season fast approaching, it’s hard to speculate How the Charlotte Hornets’ season will unfoldThey have won just 21 games in the 2023-24 campaign but are looking to add more wins to be a competitive team. Before we get too excited, we need to know who will start where and how deep this young team will be. Injuries dampened their optimism for last year. That same feeling is back, but with a new head coach and a sense of elevation in the organization.
This should come as no surprise. He only played 22 games last season, but LaMelo Ball is still the franchise player in Charlotte. He made the 2022 All-Star team as a 20-year-old and thrived in a primary point guard role that didn’t have much all-around talent compared to the roster he’ll be entering next year. At 23, Ball is still considered the cream of the crop at his position. Unfortunately, he carries a stigma of being injury-prone. Playing 58 games in two years can do that to a guy.
Ball has a chance to erase that notion and return to All-Star glory in 2025. Charlotte also has solid backups at point guard. Vasilije Micić, Seth Curry and Tre Mann could get minutes at those two backcourt spots. Ball will be the focal point, but there will be solid rotation pieces in place to give him some breathing room if needed.
Shooting guard: Josh Green

Trading a second-round pick to get Josh Green was probably the best move of the offseason for the Hornets. Green came from the Dallas Mavericks He just returned from a trip to the NBA Finals. Bringing in a young, willing defender to grow with the rest of the Hornets core was a genius move. He’s been tasked with defending some of the NBA’s best perimeter players and continues to develop his three-point shot. He fits the 3&D mold that makes players pay in today’s NBA.
Departure Brandon Miller The center back position is also a realistic option. He has the skills to play on or off the ball and could disrupt things with his size as a guard. It could add a bigger presence to the overall lineup, but Green’s defensive presence might be too much to ignore. He also moves well off the ball as a slasher to the basket. Playing with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving would allow role players to develop great off-ball skills. Green’s role won’t be any different alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
Winger: Brandon Miller
Much like Ball, another obvious choice here. Brandon Miller had a breakout rookie year in 2024. If Victor Wembanyama hadn’t rightfully taken all the spotlight, Miller would have been the best player in the 2023 draft class. He was second in points per game among rookies and helped stabilize the Hornets’ offense last season despite all the injuries.
Again, Miller makes sense at the two, but having Green on the court instead of Grant Williams at the four should help space out the players. Miller is ready to take a step forward in his sophomore season. A healthy season with Ball should help different elements of his game from a growth standpoint. Plus, seeing what kind of player he is away from the ball should be a fun thing to watch.
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The longest-tenured Hornet gets the No. 4 spot. Miles Bridges served a 30-game suspension but played well in his return season. He averaged career-high points and rebounds in 2024. He also managed to defend the opponent’s best players on a nightly basis. His versatility in defending those smaller guards and bigger forwards is what gives him the edge over a guy like Grant Williams.
The man makes plays on both ends of the floor and is a true prodigy. He is still one of the best dunkers in the league today. Having a high energy player on the floor ignites the crowd and his teammates. Bridges is the glue that holds this team together.
Center: Mark Williams
Mark Williams should be the man in the middle. When healthy, he kept guards off the paint and could contest without fouling if he got in trouble. He could wipe out shots around the basket and hold his own in some switch situations. He just hasn’t been on the court enough. He’s played 62 games in two seasons. He struggled to stay on the court early in his career. Maybe he can complete the puzzle for this team if he can stay on the court.