The Hornets have been busy this offseason, reshaping their roster while hoping for better health from their top players.
The moves included sending Jusuf Nurkic to Utah for Collin Sexton and a second-round pick, drafting Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James and Liam McNeeley, and trading Mark Williams to Phoenix to help land McNeeley. They also added Pat Connaughton, Spencer Dinwiddie and Mason Plumlee while re-signing free agent Tre Mann.
That comes after Charlotte got just 74 combined games out of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller last season. Ball’s durability remains a concern, while Miller is nearing a full recovery from wrist surgery.
Coach Charles Lee joined WFNZ radio in Charlotte to break down the roster shuffle, give an update on injuries and share his excitement about what is ahead.
Lee pointed to Sexton as an immediate spark.
“I’ve always witnessed him competing at a really high level,” Lee said. “Since he’s been around our group, he’s elevated the intensity. He’s definitely a sociable and in-your-face type guy, but I love it. I think he’s going to add a lot to our group and our culture.”
The Hornets now have an abundance of guards, with Ball, Sexton, Knueppel, Mann, Dinwiddie, James and Nick Smith Jr. all in the mix. Lee views that as an advantage.
“Having so many guards and so many competitors with high basketball IQ, it’s gonna help us be able to play in a lot of different ways,” he said. “Everybody’s playing faster and more positionless, and this versatility can help us create more open shots.”
Charlotte’s center rotation is less settled after the Williams trade, though Lee praised the different options. That group features Plumlee, Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate.
“We can play a lot of different ways this year,” Lee said. “Plumlee has a ton of experience, he understands what it takes to win, and he’s a professional who adapts to whatever role we need. Moussa continues to grow and is one of our success stories. And Ryan showed in Summer League that he can play both ends of the court at a high level. I see a lot of Brook Lopez in him.”
As for injuries, Lee said forward Grant Williams and guard Josh Green are making progress after major surgeries. Williams tore his right ACL and meniscus, while Green underwent shoulder surgery.
“I can’t put a timetable on it as of right now,” Lee said. “But they are making positive strides, and I’m just really happy with how they show up every day and attack their rehab.”
The Hornets have endured several rocky seasons, but between an influx of new faces, the continued development of younger players and better health from Ball and Miller, they enter camp with cautious optimism that better days may be on the way.
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