In just a few weeks, the Charlotte Hornets will open training camp and give fans a glimpse of how the 2024-25 season will unfold for a team hoping to join the Eastern Conference contenders.
Some might also be excited to see the new improvements to the Spectrum Center, which has undergone a renovation Work will begin earlier this offseason. The $215 million project will be completed in 2026, although the first phase will be completed before the start of the 2024-25 regular season.
Meanwhile, the Hornets have added key people to their management and coaching staff to help shape the team’s future. And two of their biggest names have made headlines recently.
The organization happily announced on social media that the Spectrum Center would be welcoming the Hive back in just a few weeks.
Tell a friend to tell a friend that our first phase of arena renovation is halfway done 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/5SbT61W6Do
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) August 26, 2024
Aptly named the “RE!magine Spectrum Center,” the beautification project officially began in late May.
Improvements planned for the first phase include renovations to the Uptown Concourse, specifically the Dr. Pepper Pavilion and The Nest fan section; upgrades to the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, signage, lighting and flooring; and improvements to the concessions experience. Changes are also planned to the suites, Trade Street entrance and event floor.
It appears the renovations are on track to be completed by October, which should bode well for Hornets fans eager to return to the arena.
The 2024 offseason has been quite busy for Charlotte, with new general manager Jeff Peterson finalization of the front office structure in mid-May. However, the 35-year-old, who also serves as executive vice president of basketball operations, has apparently made a few additional moves recently.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the The hornets brought Ryan Lambert has been named director of amateur scouting, a move that is expected to bolster the franchise’s ability to scout top talent. Lambert previously worked for the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team known for its impressive scouting.
Elsewhere, Charlotte has reportedly hired DJ Bakker to take over its G League team, the Greensboro Swarm, with The Athletic’s James Edward III among the first to report. announce the news.
Bakker will replace Jordan Surenkamp and brings with him a wealth of coaching experience. He previously worked as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Prior to working under former Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin, the Indiana native coached the Detroit Pistons’ G League team, the Motor City Cruise.
On the player side, Hornets forward Miles Bridges surprised some when HoopsHype ranked him very high – 12th, to be exact – in its rankings. list of best power forwards for the 2024-25 campaign.
The 2018 lottery pick has become a polarizing figure since his off-court issues came to light. Some fans didn’t even want Charlotte to re-sign him this offseason, given the severity of his offenses toward his ex-girlfriend.
Still, there’s no denying that Bridges is a talented player, enough so that HoopsHype ranks him ahead of other power forwards including Jerami Grant, Tobias Harris and Draymond Green.
Arguably the star of the Hornets, LaMelo Ball continues to shine brighter and brighter, as evidenced by Puma’s release of the star point guard’s fourth signature sneaker.
The Puma MB.04 shoe will officially be released this fall. The “LaFrancé” colorway looks fantastic with its light blue and cool mid-grey palette, which would speak to the 2022 All-Star’s unique style.
Some lucky kids have already gotten their hands on these shoes, like Ball I went to the Simmons YMCA to organize a meeting and offer a pair to young basketball players.
