Regarding the 2024 NBA offseason, the Charlotte Hornets didn’t have the most glamorous offseason in terms of acquiring big-name talents. However, the Hornets did an excellent job of bringing stability to the franchise. In February, Mitch Kupchak stepped down as the president of basketball operations and transitioned to an advisory role. Steve Clifford stepped down as the Hornets’ head coach in April, also taking on an advisor role. In his two stints with the franchise (2013-18 & 2022-24), Clifford amassed 244 wins, the most in franchise history. With the head coach and President roles now vacant, the Hornets needed individuals to stabilize the team’s plans.
How did the Hornets address those needs? How do the organization’s off-season transactions grade out? Let’s discuss it.
Grading Every Move Of The Hornets Offseason
Hornets Hire Peterson As Lead Executive
On March 5, 2024, the Hornets hired Jeff Peterson as the President of Basketball Operations. Peterson spent the previous four seasons as the assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets. He played a crucial role in helping engineer several significant player acquisitions, including signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as free agents, trading for James Harden, Mikal Bridges, and Cam Johnson, and drafting Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton. Peterson also oversaw Brooklyn’s college scouting department and added the team’s pro scouting department to his responsibilities in the last two seasons. This was a solid hire for the Hornets to begin their offseason.
Grade: A
Hornets Hire Lee As New Head Coach
On May 8, 2024, the Hornets hired Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee as their head coach. Before becoming Joe Mazzula’s assistant in Boston, Lee spent five seasons under Mike Budenholzer in Milwaukee, winning a championship with the Bucks in 2021. As the lead assistant with the Celtics this season, Boston finished with the #1 record in the NBA (64-18). The Celtics were also 2nd in points per game (120.6), 1st in offensive rating (123.2), and 5th in opponents points per game (109.2). They attempted the most threes in the league (42.5) and made the most threes (16.5). With the young talent the Hornets have mixed with Lee’s coaching philosophies, this was a great hire.
Grade: A
Charlotte Waives And Resigns Curry
Like most young teams, the Hornets need veteran leadership to help develop their young players. For some Hornets fans, it was confusing to see the team waive Seth Curry, considering the knowledge he can bring to the Hornets’ young perimeter players. Production-wise, despite shooting a career-low 35% from three this past season, Curry is still a 43% career three-point shooter.
The move was made to save the team a couple of million dollars. With 4 million dollars due to Curry, the Hornets decided to waive him and work on a new deal. Three weeks after Curry cleared waivers, he signed a one-year deal worth 2.8 million dollars. With guys like Josh Green, Brandon Miller, Nick Smith Jr., and other young wing players, Curry is the perfect guy to help mentor these guys. It will also be fun to see one-on-ones with him and Dell Curry.
Grade: C+
Green Acquired From The Dallas Mavericks
In one of the biggest trades in NBA history, the Hornets participated by acquiring Green from the Dallas Mavericks. Green provides the Hornets with something they still need: a reliable 3-and-D player. Last season, Green shot 38% from three-point range and had a career average of 37%.
Green’s acquisition allows him to be the team’s primary defender against the opposing team’s best perimeter players. While Miller is developing into a two-way player akin to Paul George in his second year, Lee might prefer not to place that defensive burden on him just yet. With a starting lineup featuring four “locks,” Green complements the group well, solidifying the Hornets’ perimeter defense.
Grade: B
Bridges Re-Signs
There’s been no more scrutinized player in the NBA in the past several seasons than Miles Bridges. He had a breakthrough 2021-22 season, averaging 20.2 points per game and finishing 7th in the Most Improved Player Award voting. Bridges was on the verge of signing a significant contract, but off-court issues derailed that opportunity and even threatened his freedom.
After missing the 2022-23 season and the first ten games of the 2023-24 season, Bridges returned and made a solid impact. Despite his shooting percentages dropping across the board compared to his 2021-22 season, Bridges still managed to improve his scoring to 21 points per game. The market for Bridges this summer was still nonexistent, which gave the Hornets the advantage of signing him for a highly team-friendly deal.
Bridges re-signed for three years at $75 million. Compared to what players with similar stats receive, this is a steal for the Hornets. For Bridges, the new contract provides peace of mind, knowing where he will be for the foreseeable future. With a summer to get back in proper playing shape, Bridges can look forward to a very efficient 2024-25 season.
Grade: B
The Hornets 2024 Draft Class
The 2024 NBA draft wasn’t the most intriguing regarding potential generational talent, but some players still have the potential to make a significant impact in the league. With the 6th pick, the Hornets selected Tidjane Salaun. At 6’9”, Salaun is a hybrid forward with elite athleticism and the ability to knock down shots from the mid-range and three-point range. Playing for Cholet in the French league, Salaun averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 22.7 minutes per game.
Salaun’s athleticism and high motor are strengths that can get him minutes on the floor immediately. However, he still needs to work on his decision-making and ball-handling skills. Salaun also lacks the natural strength to be a consistent rebounder and shot-blocker, which may limit his contributions to the Hornets in his rookie season. Overall, this was a high-risk, high-reward selection.
Steal In The Second Round
With the 42nd pick, the Hornets selected KJ Simpson from Colorado. Simpson is a talented three-level scorer and an intense defender. His tenacity and instinct for the ball consistently position him to make momentum-shifting plays.
Simpson’s 6’0” frame is one of the main reasons he fell to the second round. As one of the shortest players in the NBA, he may face challenges on defense against taller guards. Another potential concern is his inconsistent three-point shooting. While he shot an impressive 43.4% from three-point range in his junior season, he only managed 26.5% in his previous two seasons, raising questions about the sustainability of his shooting improvement. Despite these concerns, Simpson represents a potential steal for the Hornets in the second round.
Grade: C+
In Conclusion
Overall, the Charlotte Hornets’ 2024 offseason may not have been flashy in acquiring big-name talents, but it was crucial in bringing stability and addressing critical needs. Hiring Jeff Peterson and Charles Lee is a solid move that will lay a strong foundation for the future. The strategic waiver and re-signing of Seth Curry, the impactful trade for Josh Green, and the valuable re-signing of Miles Bridges all demonstrate the Hornets’ commitment to building a competitive and cohesive team. While the draft picks bring potential and promise, the accurate measure of their success will be seen in how these young players develop and contribute. The Hornets are set for growth, blending experienced leadership with promising talent for the upcoming season.
Overall Grade: B
