Coming into the 2024-25 preseason, the Charlotte Hornets are a team filled with intrigue. With LaMelo Ball as their franchise point guard and an emerging superstar in Brandon Miller, the roster appears well-constructed. The addition of key role players only strengthens their core. However, injuries have consistently been the Hornets’ Achilles heel, and their outdated play style has held them back in recent seasons. While injuries remain a concern, there is a new energy surrounding the team, particularly in their approach on the court, giving fans reason to believe they could be a surprise team in the Eastern Conference.
The hiring of Charles Lee this offseason brought expectations of change, as the Hornets hoped Lee’s experience under Joe Mazzulla and Mike Budenholzer would modernize their approach. Lee has already begun implementing noticeable shifts in play style, emphasizing pace, ball movement, and more versatile defensive schemes. In just two preseason games, it’s clear the Hornets are shedding their old-school tendencies in favor of a more dynamic, fluid brand of basketball.
What are the early results of these changes? Let’s dive into how the Hornets are evolving under Lee’s leadership and what that could mean for their season.
Shoot At-Will
One of the keys to the Boston Celtics’ championship run last season was their three-point shooting. They led the NBA in both attempts (42.5 per game) and makes (16.5 per game) while ranking second in accuracy at 38%. The Charlotte Hornets have embraced that same philosophy early in the preseason.
In their game against the Knicks on Sunday, the Hornets attempted 38 threes, connecting on 17 for an impressive 44.7%. On Tuesday night against the Heat, they ramped up their attempts to 51, though they only hit 14, resulting in a 27.5% clip. While the Hornets have the personnel to spread the floor and knock down threes, relying too heavily on that shot could be a potential pitfall—much like the Celtics in some of their losses last season.
If you’re a Hornets fan, though, the organized chaos within their offense is exciting to watch. It’s a sign that the team is willing to push boundaries, experimenting with a fast-paced, three-point-heavy attack.
The Rookie
Questions surrounded Tidjane Salaun heading into the preseason, particularly regarding how much impact the 6th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft could make early on. With the Hornets’ depth at the wing positions, it wouldn’t have been surprising if Salaun saw significant time in the G-League. However, he’s used those doubts as motivation, delivering some impressive performances so far.
On Sunday night against the Knicks, Salaun posted 11 points on 4/8 shooting, including 3/5 from beyond the arc. He followed that up on Tuesday against the Heat with 15 points, shooting 5/9 from the field and 4/7 from three-point range. In addition to his scoring, he contributed eight rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of action. While his offensive versatility is on display, Salaun still needs to develop his physical strength and defensive mindset.
Still, the early concerns about his readiness are starting to fade as he continues to show his potential. If he keeps this up, his path to meaningful minutes could come sooner than expected.
The LaMelo Ball Revenge Tour
Despite putting up All-Star-level numbers when healthy, Ball’s lack of availability over the past two seasons has some Hornets fans questioning his future with the team. After missing significant time due to an ankle injury, Ball is back on the court and already showing signs of returning to form, ready to reignite the All-Star conversation.
Tuesday night against the Heat, Ball reminded everyone of the player he can be when fully healthy. He dropped 24 points on 7/15 shooting, including 6/12 from three-point range, while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists. Perhaps most encouraging for Hornets fans—Ball committed just one turnover and two fouls in 25 minutes.
If Ball can stay healthy while continuing to cut down on turnovers, avoid unnecessary fouls, and become more efficient as a three-level scorer, he could re-enter the discussion as one of the league’s top-five point guards.
In Conclusion
The Charlotte Hornets are a team with plenty of question marks but also a lot of potential heading into the 2024-25 season. With Charles Lee at the helm, the shift in play style is already evident, as the team embraces a more modern, fast-paced offense centered around three-point shooting. Key players like LaMelo Ball are looking to make a statement, while rookies like Tidjane Salaun are stepping up and showing flashes of promise. If the Hornets can stay healthy and continue to develop under Lee’s guidance, they have the chance to surprise many in the Eastern Conference. The pieces are there—it’s just a matter of how well they come together.
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