So Charlotte, what's the plan?

[tsherkin]

The positive vibes are a good first step though, much better than a death march to 20 wins.

It's better than the absence thereof, for sure. Everything has to start somewhere, after all.

[John Murdoch]

Personally i would trade Lamello , just not a winning franchise caliber player for any real rebuild. Try to emulate Detroit ..find the guy than slowly start tinkering around the outskirts until it starts to click

[jokeboy86]

Something special is brewing in Charlotte.

I'm predicting a big season for this newly constructed roster.

Read on Twitter

The absolute ceiling is 34-48

A great man once said, "the ceiling is the roof".

[EmpireFalls]

The absolute ceiling is 34-48

A great man once said, "the ceiling is the roof".[/quote]
Funny story, I was actually there in Chapel Hill for that game in 2017 and heard him say it live. Hilarious. Everyone was just as confused.

Fortunately Jordan finally sold the team so we might have a chance of not being a dumpster fire anymore!

[Pointgod]

Something special is brewing in Charlotte.

I'm predicting a big season for this newly constructed roster.

Read on Twitter

Bruh they still don’t have a starting Center and way too many PGs.

[tsherkin]

Fortunately Jordan finally sold the team so we might have a chance of not being a dumpster fire anymore!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and all that. It's a good starting point.

It's similar to what nate33 was saying about Washington in the other thread, believing in management's ability to make sound decisions much more regularly going forward and all that.

[magee]

Trade LaMelo, build around Brandon Miller. Kick the tires on seeing if Miami will bite and take LaMelo and Tidjane Salaun for Rozier, Kel'el Ware and whatever else it would take. Tank and aim for the next PG blue chipper who fits Miller's timeline.

Overall, they are starting to resemble a decent team if Kalkbrenner turns into something. Passing over Matas Buzelis and Ware is gonna linger for a while. They need to hire new scouts if they are passing on dudes like that for Salaun.

[GoBobs]

We have 4 extra first round picks and all of our own firsts.

We are trying to build mostly through the draft and avoid risky shortcuts that will set us back.

[tsherkin]

We have 4 extra first round picks and all of our own firsts.

We are trying to build mostly through the draft and avoid risky shortcuts that will set us back.

Hopefully they land on at least 1 or 2 of those with a meaningful player.

[EmpireFalls]

Trade LaMelo, build around Brandon Miller. Kick the tires on seeing if Miami will bite and take LaMelo and Tidjane Salaun for Rozier, Kel'el Ware and whatever else it would take. Tank and aim for the next PG blue chipper who fits Miller's timeline.

Overall, they are starting to resemble a decent team if Kalkbrenner turns into something. Passing over Matas Buzelis and Ware is gonna linger for a while. They need to hire new scouts if they are passing on dudes like that for Salaun.

LaMelo is better than Brandon Miller. Point blank. Miller is in no way shape or form a 1st option in this league and asking him to have the ball in his hands full-time as a primary initiator would be a disaster.

I have no clue why everyone in the league is so high on Miller. He tore a ligament in his shooting wrist and missed 55 games last year so we can’t even call him more durable than Melo. As for talent, it’s not particularly close…

LaMelo is a MUCH more gifted ball handler. MUCH more gifted passer and creator, who can create open looks at the rim for himself and others. Much quicker processor of defenses. He is central to everything the Hornets do well offensively. However good you think Haliburton is, LaMelo is close.

Miller is just good not great. He’s a tall wing with some cool dunks but his handle is abysmal. He can’t get by guys 1v1 and really struggles to initiate things going downhill. He basically just pops 3s and scores off cuts/transition. His defense is nothing to write home about either. Struggles at POA and doesn’t have the strength or aggressiveness to block shots or be an elite help guy. He’s average at best on that end.

An offense “built around” Miller is going nowhere. He doesn’t dribble effectively and you can’t expect him to set guys up. Trading LaMelo to the Heat for **** Rozier and Kel’El Ware would be absolutely disgusting and would see our GM fired immediately. That’s a truly insulting offer that would be one of the worst trades in league history, I cannot believe you’re serious.

If I’ve learned anything this year it’s that everyone is waaaay too low on LaMelo and waaaay too high on Miller. It’s kind of funny because all regular-watching Hornets fans universally realize Melo is the much more important and better offensive player, and all non-fans think Miller is some prime PG clone and Melo is just a chucker. It makes me laugh

[tsherkin]

LaMelo is better than Brandon Miller. Point blank.

LaMelo's problems are health and finishing ability inside, as much as anything else. Shot selection, maybe. But he's a gifted playmaker. Miller... has been a horrible volume scorer, at least at this stage. He's young, it's early, and obviously, he had like a season and a quarter to try and adjust, and a rough situation. As you've noted, though, he's pretty rough on-ball. But he also isn't really good at anything except shooting FTs at the moment, so... I bet his mid-range game will come back over a full season to at least SOME extent, which will help a bit, but he's not a super exciting scorer at all. I would side with LaMelo as well. If he can stay healthy, he can follow the Cade Cunningham model of being a kind of bleh volume scorer who gets his team going with his passing and game management, which would be good, especially as the Hornets' roster improves over time.

[magee]

LaMelo is better than Brandon Miller. Point blank. Miller is in no way shape or form a 1st option in this league and asking him to have the ball in his hands full-time as a primary initiator would be a disaster.

I have no clue why everyone in the league is so high on Miller. He tore a ligament in his shooting wrist and missed 55 games last year so we can’t even call him more durable than Melo. As for talent, it’s not particularly close…

LaMelo is a MUCH more gifted ball handler. MUCH more gifted passer and creator, who can create open looks at the rim for himself and others. Much quicker processor of defenses. He is central to everything the Hornets do well offensively. However good you think Haliburton is, LaMelo is close.

Miller is just good not great. He’s a tall wing with some cool dunks but his handle is abysmal. He can’t get by guys 1v1 and really struggles to initiate things going downhill. He basically just pops 3s and scores off cuts/transition. His defense is nothing to write home about either. Struggles at POA and doesn’t have the strength or aggressiveness to block shots or be an elite help guy. He’s average at best on that end.

An offense “built around” Miller is going nowhere. He doesn’t dribble effectively and you can’t expect him to set guys up. Trading LaMelo to the Heat for **** Rozier and Kel’El Ware would be absolutely disgusting and would see our GM fired immediately. That’s a truly insulting offer that would be one of the worst trades in league history, I cannot believe you’re serious.

If I’ve learned anything this year it’s that everyone is waaaay too low on LaMelo and waaaay too high on Miller. It’s kind of funny because all regular-watching Hornets fans universally realize Melo is the much more important and better offensive player, and all non-fans think Miller is some prime PG clone and Melo is just a chucker. It makes me laugh

Right now, yes, LaMelo is better than Miller. The point I was trying to make is that until they figure out how to build around LaMelo, which they clearly haven't, they are better off building around Miller. I know he's not a #1 option right now, but if you take a guy #2 and he's not showing that he can be that guy, it was a waste of a pick.

The main reason why, as well, is to get off Ball's contract. They can get serviceable point guards (Tyus Jones on the cheap) next summer after Rozier's deal expires. They get a quality new-age center that they can play next to, and in front of, Kalkbrenner.

I love Ball and his talent. But if he can't keep those ankles healthy and they are shot, how is it worth paying him $40+ in two years if he can't be on the court for more than half the season? And if you get a chance to get another Top 3 pick next year, along with a shot at AJ Dybansta, with a ton of cap room to figure out how to build the roster around acquiring talent, how is that a bad thing?

I'm no fan of Rozier, trust me. It's for his expiring deal. And out of all the teams in the NBA, I've always wanted the Hornets to be successful. It's lloooooooonnnnnnnnggggg overdue. So if there's a chance to build the team next summer and this front office gets a real shot at it, they have to look at trading Ball if he can't stay healthy this year. Otherwise, they're paying Ball for four years while getting maybe two seasons' worth of on-court hoops.

And if Miller isn't that guy, why keep their scouting department if they draft guys two years in a row with Miller and Salaun and they aren't NBA starters by the end of their rookie deals?

So if there's another deal out there that would bring a promising young center, freed up money and picks to the Hornets for Ball, where would it be?

Because staring Mason Plumlee* at Center in 2025 ain't it.

*Edit. Just saw I misspelled his name.

[magee]

LaMelo is better than Brandon Miller. Point blank.

LaMelo's problems are health and finishing ability inside, as much as anything else. Shot selection, maybe. But he's a gifted playmaker. Miller... has been a horrible volume scorer, at least at this stage. He's young, it's early, and obviously, he had like a season and a quarter to try and adjust, and a rough situation. As you've noted, though, he's pretty rough on-ball. But he also isn't really good at anything except shooting FTs at the moment, so... I bet his mid-range game will come back over a full season to at least SOME extent, which will help a bit, but he's not a super exciting scorer at all. I would side with LaMelo as well. If he can stay healthy, he can follow the Cade Cunningham model of being a kind of bleh volume scorer who gets his team going with his passing and game management, which would be good, especially as the Hornets' roster improves over time.

I'm with you both on choosing LaMelo over Miller. It's LaMelo's health and lack of flexibility the Hornets have if they hold onto him to try and build a team around him if he can't stay healthy. Think Tre Mann or Collin Sexton can do what LaMelo does? No. But if it gives them a chance at finding the right leading guard and center next summer, and doesn't force Miller into a role he's not ready for, they have to consider it.

Sure, the trade I proposed isn't great. That has to be the base for what they'd need if LaMelo can't stay on the court. I'd rather see the Hornets win with him leading them. This season will be the litmus test if he can stay on the court. If not, they'll have to think about selling low if it means another couple years at Top 3 picks to really build the team out and have the room to bring someone in via trade.

[chrbal]

I feel like charlotte’s at the point where your guess is as good as anyone’s

[MasterIchiro]

If you do the math Charlotte has a roster crunch right now and will need to attach picks to players no fans here are calling for.

So instead of breaking down their biggest contract (LaMelo) for multiple players and even more picks, complicating the roster crunch, they're going to bundle the most non-sexy contracts with draft capital surplus for upgrades.

3-5 for 1.

None of you outsiders have to like it.

[MasterIchiro]

Plan is 15 roster players just like every team:

1-LaMelo
2-Sexton
3-Miller
4-Miles
5-Diabaté
6-Tre Mann
7-Knueppel
8-McNeeley
9-Grant Williams
10-Mason Plumlee
11-Dinwiddie
12-Sion James
13-Salaün
14-Kalkbrenner

15-incoming player

Outgoing players outside looking in:

Josh Green (2 years)
Connaughton (expiring)
Okogie (expiring, non-guaranteed)
Nick Smith Jr.(rookie scale)
Jeffries (non-guaranteed)

Hornets could just cut all these players except for Josh Green.

Or, Hornets can bundle them with any combination of 1-4 outside 1st round draft picks and/or 1-12 second round picks to plug that last roster spot.

Because draft capital is currency, attaching those picks to those players is a form of paying to make them go away.

[MasterIchiro]

Plan is 15 roster players just like every team:

1-LaMelo
2-Sexton
3-Miller
4-Miles
5-Diabaté
6-Tre Mann
7-Knueppel
8-McNeeley
9-Grant Williams
10-Mason Plumlee
11-Dinwiddie
12-Sion James
13-Salaün
14-Kalkbrenner

15-incoming player

Outgoing players outside looking in:

Josh Green (2 years)
Connaughton (expiring)
Okogie (expiring, non-guaranteed)
Nick Smith Jr.(rookie scale)
Jeffries (non-guaranteed)

Hornets could just cut all these players except for Josh Green.

Or, Hornets can bundle them with any combination of 1-4 outside 1st round draft picks and/or 1-12 second round picks to plug that last roster spot.

Because draft capital is currency, attaching those picks to those players is a form of paying to make them go away.

One insight into their leaning on this roster crunch relates to one of those listed outgoing players: Hornets and player agency extended the decision on Josh Okogie's non-guaranteed contract to July 15th.

If they extended in order to bring back Okogie (at lower dollars) then Okogie gets roster spot 15 and that leaves Josh Green without a roster spot. However, Josh Green is signed to a multiyear deal so unlikely Hornets eat it.

If the plan were to simply non-guarantee Okogie, Hornets could've done that 1 week ago. So they at least showed their hand they are trying to relocate him.

If they relocate Okogie in a 1-for-1, that incoming player would get that last roster spot, once again leaving out Josh Green who's owed 2 years 28.3 million. Small market Charlotte won't likely eat that. We've already established that.

So that leaves one more option with Okogie, bundle him with that pesky contract Josh Green in a 2-for-1 where the incoming player gets the final roster spot. Matching salary comes in at ~21.3 million (13.6 Green + 7.7 Okogie).

Attaching draft capital for a player earning 21.3 million is a way to pay to make Josh Green and Josh Okogie go away, but it improves the roster at the one open spot.

Still, Hornets having multiple outside 1sts (4) and 2nds (12) can repeat this ritual by pulling one player from the 14 other spots, bundling with Connaughton, and paying draft capital currency to make them go away for a player who further improves the roster.

Take for example Salaün. Connaughton (9.4) + Salaün (7.8) = ~17.2 million matching for an incoming player.

You can argue your team/other teams don't want any of these players. Fine. I don't want them.

But if you argue your team/other teams don't want any of Charlotte's 4 outside firsts or 12 2nds, then you're not really thinking like a RealGM. Those guys buy draft currency every day, all day.

[Upperclass]

Send Lamelo to the Warriors for Kuminga and stuff. Kon, Miller, Kuminga, Bridges.. is a tough 4 to stop.. Could also move Bridges for a better fit at 4 or 5. Hornets GM has done well to give their team solid options

[Wolveswin]

Hornets should full tank.

Trade #1: Ball/Okogie/Jeffries to Pels for Murphy/Fears/Queen/as many future 1sts as they can get.

Dumars is all-in, desperate really, Hornets take advantage.

Trade #2: Bridges/Sexton/Williams to 76ers for Paul George/as many future 1sts as they can get.

Ask George to mentor the young Hornets’ forwards for a bit when he is rehabbing- then buy him out to ring chase.

Let full tank commence. 2026 drafting in top 3 as 2025/26 season is let the young Hornets play.

Queen/Kalkbrenner
Salaun
Miller/James/McNeeley
Kon/NSJ
Fears

[VFX]

I think they should trade Ball while they can. Tank and get their rookies a lot of minutes.

They just drafted a bunch of solid high character guys in Sion, Kon, and Kalkbrenner that can change their culture for the better.

Also, Kalkbrenner should be getting more minutes than people are buying. He's 24, not 18, and a legit 7'2 with a real skillset.