Ranking the Most Likely Returning Hornets Players For Next Season

With the Draft and Free Agency just weeks away, Charlotte's roster could be looking very different.

1) LaMelo Ball - There's not much else to say, even if Charlotte drafted Scoot Henderson the front office would want to see him and LaMelo play together for at least one season.

2) Mark Williams - He firmly established himself as a foundational piece of Charlotte's young core, they're not moving on after the flashes they saw in year one. 

3) JT Thor - Of all second year players, Thor took his opportunity last year and earned a spot in the rotation. Once you combine his work ethic, athletic tools and improving jump shot with his low salary it's hard to see a world where Thor isn't in Charlotte.

4) Bryce McGowens - Despite entering last year on a two-way, McGowens quickly overtook James Bouknight due to his more efficient scoring, defense and better decision making. The Hornets have McGowens locked up for 3 more years at just $2 million per year.

5) Cody Martin - After signing a 4 year $31 million contract last off-season Martin lost the 22-23 season due to a re-occurring knee injury. Around the league he will largely be viewed as a negative asset until he can re-prove his health. The Hornets are unlikely to attach picks or another player to trade away Martin, they will play the long game and hope he can re-find his 21-22 form. 

6) Miles Bridges - Both PJ and Bridges are Restricted Free Agents this off-season, so why do I have Bridges ranked higher? When available in 21-22, Bridges level of play and usage was at a different level to PJ Washington's. When comparing the two, it's hard to argue that Bridges isn't better and more valuable player. Bridges has been sharing social media content of him working out in full Hornets training kit every chance he gets. It seems like he's trying to send everyone a clear message that he's coming back.

7) Terry Rozier - Rozier is arguably the second best player on the team, so why is he so low? Of all Charlotte's players' under contract outside of LaMelo and Williams, Terry has the most trade value. A versatile guard who can play as the primary ball handler or off-ball floor spacer, he's a great fit next to a high usage all-star for a contender. Rozier's contract of $24 per year for each of the next three seasons makes him an appealing trade candidate. He's the clear leader of the team, but if the Hornets are looking to make a major upgrade, which I still think is unlikely, then Rozier could be part of that deal.

8) Nick Richards - The Hornets only signed Richards to a contract extension earlier this year, but that doesn't mean he's off the table in trade talks. For a team like Dallas, Richards would likely start for them, could he moved as part of a wider deal? It's clear Richards is a Clifford favorite, but you don't make back-up centers off limits in trade talks. 

9) Kai Jones - There are two years left on Kai's rookie contract, unfortunately outside of some impressive moments, he had yet to show the consistency needed to be a rotation player. Around the league, Jones' value will be rock bottom, teams would likely only view him as a throw in as part of a wider deal. Charlotte shouldn't give up yet though, when they selected Kai in 2021 he was always viewed as a project, you don't give up after year two. The Hornets should see this one out to the end of his rookie deal to give Kai every chance to develop. After all, he has the right attitude and work ethic.

10) PJ Washington - The return of Bridges and possible addition of Miller could make PJ Washington's future in Charlotte a little murky. One option is for Charlotte could  bring all three into training camp and figure it out from there. Another is they avoid losing an asset for nothing and Sign & Trade PJ Washington, similar to what they did with Devonte' Graham. Washington's name will be an interesting one to monitor this off-season.

11) Gordon Hayward - If the team wants to make the playoffs next year it's hard to argue that Hayward doesn't help that cause. However, if they want to take a more patient team building approach and create a starting spot for a potential 6'9" small forward from Alabama, moving on makes some sense. Hayward is in the last year of his deal paying him $31.5 million, perhaps now he's an expiring it's more amenable for a team to take the chance on a "healthy" Hayward season? If it came down to keeping one of PJ vs Hayward for financial purposes (It shouldn't as the team can afford both without paying the luxury task) then I would prioritize PJ.

12) James Bouknight - There were signs of life for Bouknight's career towards the end of last season. However, with $10.6 million owed over the next two years, a lack of on-court production coupled with off-court issues, Bouknight is towards the top of names who could move on. Bouknight has a "Make or Break" summer ahead of him. So far he has spent the majority of his time working out at the team's practice facility which is a good start. Will he have shown the team enough in workouts to earn their trust to not move him at the draft? 

13) Dennis Smith Jr - The 22-23 DSJ season will live long in the hearts of Hornets fans, unfortunately, it could only be a brief "Fling". An Unrestricted Free Agent, DSJ has the chance to earn a new deal that would pay him more than his total career earnings ($21m) so far. Could Smith Jr. prioritize a return to Charlotte at a lower cost than signing elsewhere for more money? The romantics will always have hope, but NBA history tells us players often follow the money. You could see a do-over of the Jeremy Lin 2015-16 season where he resurrected his career in Charlotte but then went on to sign for Brooklyn that summer.

14) Kelly Oubre - If the Hornets don't end up drafting Brandon Miller, I would likely move Oubre up this list above Bouknight and Smith Jr. However, despite his popularity among his fellow players and strong play this past season, it seems Oubre will be searching for a more defined role elsewhere. Would an UFA be willing to sign back with one of the worst teams in the NBA while also playing behind Hayward, Miller and Bridges? It's unlikely. I personally would like to see Oubre back, seeing him at the two next to LaMelo as a point of attack defender could be an interesting wrinkle. 

15) Svi Mykhailiuk - There is nothing more Svi could have done in his short time with the Hornets to make his mark. Mykhailiuk was hugely productive averaging 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists over his last nine games while playing with a large part of the Greensboro Swarm roster. If the team made a significant move to open up several roster spots, I could see Svi return as a 14th/15th man. The current projected roster doesn't make that possible unless you're prioritizing him ahead of a 2023 mid-late 1st round pick or both of Oubre/Smith Jr.

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