Hornets’ Offseason Moves Signal Patience, Not Panic

Last season, the Charlotte Hornets entered the offseason with a sense of cautious optimism. After selecting Tidjane Salaün and KJ Simpson in the draft, they re-signed Miles Bridges, landed Josh Green via the Klay Thompson sign-and-trade, and added veterans like Taj Gibson and season surprise Moussa Diabaté. A new head coach, Charles Lee, brought fresh energy to the bench.

But optimism didn’t translate to results. The Hornets stumbled to a 19-63 record, the third-worst in the NBA. Injuries shredded the roster, and continuity vanished. Lee squeezed what he could from a depleted squad, but it was clear: Charlotte simply didn’t have enough talent.

This summer, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson responded with a bold reset. A wave of new additions has reshaped the roster, but is it enough to finally flip the narrative in Charlotte? Let’s take a closer look.

The Hornets Add a Bucket-Getter with an Edge

Peterson kicked off the Hornets’ offseason by acquiring Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton in exchange for Jusuf Nurkić and a future second-round pick. It’s a savvy move for a team that sorely needed two things: a scoring punch and an emotional spark.

Sexton averaged 18.4 points last season across 63 games, providing instant offense and the ability to carry stretches when primary options falter. But beyond the numbers, he brings relentless energy — the kind of intensity that can jolt a stagnant roster to life.

While questions remain about his defensive fit and long-term role next to LaMelo Ball, this was a low-cost gamble on a proven NBA scorer entering his prime.

Grade: B+

Quiet Upside, Crowded Backcourt

The Hornets didn’t get to see much of Tre Mann last season. A promising stretch of 13 games — where he averaged 14.1 points while shooting 43% from the field and 40% from three — was cut short by a back injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.

Now healthy, Mann returns to a more crowded backcourt following the Sexton trade. His scoring upside and floor-spacing are real, but questions linger about his ability to stay on the floor and carve out a consistent role. If he can stay healthy and adapt as a secondary playmaker, Mann could quietly become a key piece. But until then, expectations remain tempered.

Grade: B-

Steady Vets, Smart Fits: Hornets Strengthen Core Around the Edges This Offseason

Looking to bolster their backcourt depth more, the Hornets signed veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie. A composed floor general with playoff experience, Dinwiddie averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists last season with the Dallas Mavericks. He’s unlikely to wow you with flash, but his reliability makes him a valuable insurance policy behind Ball.

In the frontcourt, the Hornets made an expected move on draft night by trading Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the rights to Liam McNeeley. To ease the development curve for fellow rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Hornets brought back Mason Plumlee — a familiar, serviceable presence who can start or anchor bench units. His return gives Diabate the freedom to thrive in a more energetic, change-of-pace role.

On the wing, the Hornets added Pat Connaughton from the Milwaukee Bucks — a true professional and playoff-tested veteran. He’ll offer depth, spacing, and mentorship for young wings like Kon Knueppel and McNeeley, helping raise the floor of the rotation while reinforcing team culture.

Grade: B+

In Conclusion

The Charlotte Hornets didn’t chase stars or make splashy headlines this offseason — and that’s perfectly fine. Instead, Jeff Peterson zeroed in on practicality: upgrading depth, adding toughness, and surrounding the young core with professionals who can stabilize a team that desperately lacked consistency last year.

Collin Sexton gives the roster some needed edge and scoring juice. Spencer Dinwiddie offers a calm, steady hand behind LaMelo Ball. The returns of Mason Plumlee and Pat Connaughton signal a desire to raise the floor with dependable vets. At the same time, the additions of young prospects like Liam McNeeley and Ryan Kalkbrenner provide a longer-term vision.

This wasn’t a franchise-altering offseason, but it was a grown-up one — the kind that winning organizations make while building toward something real. The question now: will Charles Lee and this retooled group take the next step?

Overall Offseason Grade: B