Hornets ask fans for patience after a summer of changes

For six seasons, LaMelo Ball gave Charlotte Hornets fans a reason to watch, even when the standings offered little hope. This fall, he is gone, and the team is asking its fans to believe in a plan that may take years to assess.

Charlotte traded Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a controversial deal for Naz Reid, a 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks. The move also created a trade exception worth nearly $41 million, reportedly the largest in NBA history. The Hornets later agreed to a three-year, $74 million contract with former Tar Heel Coby White, positioning him to take over as the starting point guard.

The moves came after the Hornets finished 44-38 and reached the NBA Play-In Tournament last season. It was the franchise’s best record since 2015-16, but the roster that produced it has been reshaped. Ball and Miles Bridges are gone, which leaves Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel as two of the youngest players expected to carry a team forward.

Charlotte also added veterans Dennis Schroder, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in the offseason. They join Reid and White on a roster with more depth but less star power. Miller averaged 20.2 points last season, while Knueppel averaged 18.5 points as a rookie. Both will have greater responsibility without Ball creating shots for them. The new group gives coach Charles Lee several combinations to try, but it may take time for the players to settle into their new roles.

Lee Armfield, a Hornets fan and content creator known online as Lee the Hornet, understands why some fans are frustrated. He sees potential in the Ball trade, but only if Charlotte can use the flexibility it is receiving.

“I think it’s productive, but only if we utilize the trade exception,” Armfield said. “If we don’t utilize the trade exception, then I think it’s overall a bad trade… I can’t buy a jersey with a trade exception. I’d like to see someone.”

NBA trades normally require teams to exchange players with a similar amount of salary. The exception gives Charlotte an opportunity to acquire another player without matching all of the traded player’s salary in the same deal. It could help the Hornets add talent later, but it does not guarantee the team will make a move.

White will be among the first players asked to fill the space left by Ball. Charlotte acquired the North Carolina native from the Chicago Bulls in February. Armfield believes White can handle the job, pointing to his steadier style and his experience playing in the 2022 NBA playoffs with Chicago.

“I think Coby White is just as capable as LaMelo,” Armfield said. “We might say flash and stats and all this kind of stuff, but Coby White has been to the playoffs.”

Even with White, Reid and the rest of Charlotte’s offseason additions, Armfield does not expect an immediate championship run. He expects another season near the middle of the Eastern Conference, with the Hornets competing for a play-in spot.

He compared the rebuild to a baseball game, calling this season the third inning of a nine-inning process in his comparison. The ninth inning would be Charlotte winning an NBA championship. Until then, progress may be measured by player development, smart trades and whether the front office turns its financial flexibility into a stronger roster.

Patience can be difficult for the supporters of a franchise that has not been active in the post-season since 2016. Ball was one of Charlotte’s most recognizable players for his passing, and his long-distance shooting brought excitement even during losing seasons. He played 72 games last season after injuries limited him in previous years, making the trade’s timing especially hard for some fans to accept.

Armfield said fans do not need to treat every regular-season game as a major event. He encourages them to attend affordable home games to get to know the new roster and watch the plan develop.

“Get down to the Spectrum Center every now and then get familiar with these players,” Armfield said. “I think that in three years you’re going to absolutely wish you had.”

When asked to describe the current Hornets in one word, Armfield paused. His answer captured the calculation of the offseason and the uncertainty facing the fans who remain: “Business.”

Queens University News Service stories are prepared by students in the James L. Knight School of Communication with supervision and editing from faculty and staff. The James L. Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte provides the news service in support of local community news.