Callihan: It's Time for the Hornets to Make Some Noise
The Charlotte Hornets have had just a few disappointing moments throughout their existence. And although they had their fair share of injuries this past season, you could argue that the franchise has been the recipient of some good luck in the NBA Draft Lottery in recent years.
Charlotte has moved up in the lottery twice in the last three years going from No. 8 to No. 3 in 2020 and then No. 4 to No. 2 this year. This is a prime opportunity for the Hornets to not only be a competitive group for years to come but to be much more than that. To be contenders in the Eastern Conference.
It sounds silly, right?
Maybe it's just because the Hornets haven't made the playoffs in consecutive years since the early 2000s. Maybe it's because you don't trust the front office to get No. 2 right. Maybe it's because you don't believe LaMelo Ball can stay healthy enough on a year-to-year basis.
There are certainly many things Hornets fans can be concerned with. But just for a second, let's take a look at things with the glass half full.
With LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams, you already have a dynamic young pair to build around. Terry Rozier is under contract through 2025-26 and if the Hornets re-sign P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges, that gives them three rock-solid veterans to help pull some of the weight. I might catch some flak for it, but I believe Cody Martin and Nick Richards are more valuable to this team's success than most folks think. Plus, Bryce McGowens is an intriguing young player who is only going to get better with experience.
What the Hornets must do is take full advantage of this window they've created to win. They can't just sit on their hands and bank on the draft year in and year out to construct a consistent winner.
Even after the lottery, GM Mitch Kupchak stated “I don’t think it’s going to change a whole lot, to be honest with you," when I asked him if landing the second overall pick changes their plans for free agency.
I'm not saying the Hornets need to strike now and I wouldn't blame Mitch if he is reluctant to make a big move this summer. But moving forward, it's something they must do in order to make that leap from where they are now to becoming a playoff team. As we saw in two of the previous three seasons, this team has the talent to get into the Play-In tournament but that's it. There's another layer of talent the Hornets need to tap into.
Being a small market isn't an excuse. Indiana, Memphis, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Portland, San Antonio, and Utah are all in the same boat and have had stretches of success, some of which still are.
As someone who has watched nearly every Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game for the past twenty years, I can tell you that "Moneyball" doesn't work. Bringing guys in well past their prime on cheap deals and settling for second and in some cases, third-tier free agents isn't going to work.
To truly take a stab at winning big, you're going to have to be comfortable with taking on one or two decent-sized contracts. Soon, LaMelo will be the owner of one of those. Next year, Charlotte has to make their move. Spend some money and watch this team make that leap. And I'm not saying throw out a max contract to someone. Simply spending money on supporting pieces or strengthening the bench can go a long way.
This is the best opportunity the Hornets have had and they can't afford to mess it up.
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