Welcome to Hive Mind CLT, a new weekly series from SportCLT bringing together reporters, podcasters, and analysts from across Charlotte Hornets media to discuss the biggest questions surrounding the team.
The Hornets enter the 2026–27 season looking to build on their first winning season in years, but with a dramatically different roster. LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are gone, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are expected to take on larger roles, and Jeff Peterson has assembled enough young talent and draft capital to make Charlotte one of the NBA’s more interesting teams to watch over the next few seasons. But how much better can this group actually become, and what should success look like this season?
Each week, we’ll bring together five voices from across the Hornets media landscape to share their perspectives on the team’s development, roster construction, upcoming matchups, and what comes next. With Hornets coverage increasingly spread across independent publications, podcasts, and other platforms, our goal is to bring those perspectives together, introduce fans to the people covering the team, and create a larger conversation around Charlotte basketball.
1. The Southeast Division could be one of the most competitive divisions in the NBA this season. Where do you expect Charlotte to finish?
Dylan Jackson, SportCLT [@djdotmp4]: I think it’s going to be really difficult to finish in the top-3 of this division. I was very impressed with Orlando’s playoff series against Detroit last season, Miami obviously got better with the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Atlanta looked especially potent late in the season last year. While other teams geared up, I think it’s fair to say that Charlotte took a step back. Even the Wizards are essentially adding Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and AJ Dybantsa. I’d project the Hornets to finish in between 4-5 in the division.
Akil Guruparan, SportCLT [@akillesheel17]: I don’t think it’s unfair to say that the Hornets appear to be using this as, if not a rebuilding year, certainly a redirecting one. Both Atlanta and especially Miami, who already gave Charlotte fits, appear to be a level above Charlotte right now. I think the bottom 3 could shake out in any order (Orlando had a very strong finish to the postseason between walloping the Hornets and taking the Pistons the distance, but I’m not ready to ignore the mediocre regular season before that – and a new coach is also a variable), but Charlotte’s probably more likely to be 4th-5th than 3rd.
Steve Sears, SportCLT [@stevestweets_]: Charlotte unfortunately will be in a race to not finish last in the Southeast this season. Miami and Atlanta improved their already strong rosters, Orlando hopes a new voice at head coach can bring them consistency through the regular season, and Washington has a blend of youth and vets that is poised to cause some problems. Charlotte is really the only team of the bunch who took a noticeable step backwards, but they might be deep enough to just keep their heads above water to make things interesting.
Greyson Tappy, SportCLT [@GreysonTappy]: This is as strong as the Southeast Division has been in quite some time, going back to the early to mid-2010s, when Miami, Atlanta, and Washington were all contending in the Eastern Conference. Each team made strides this offseason to put themselves in a position to compete, while Charlotte is taking a different route and taking a half step back to take a full step forward. I think Miami and Atlanta will hold the top positions, while Charlotte, Orlando, and Washington will battle for the 3-5 spots. I think it is possible to see another play-in game vs. Orlando this season, and hopefully the Hornets are better equipped to handle the physicality and speed of the game.
Dane McMillan, SportCLT: 4th or 5th, probably neck and neck with Washington. Nearly everyone in the division got better this offseason, and while I don’t think Charlotte got significantly worse, I haven’t seen enough to say we improved, either. With Coby White and Kon Knueppel sitting out the preseason, it’s hard to know what this team looks like at full strength, much less whether it can match last season’s 44 wins. Miami has Giannis, Orlando should be healthier, and Atlanta simply improved on its roster. Even Washington looks more competitive with its veteran additions. I’d love to finish 4th because I hate the idea of everyone else taking a step forward while we’re still figuring things out. But 5th feels just as realistic.
2. Can Charlotte take a step forward as an organization without improving on last season’s 44 wins?
Dylan: I think it’s possible to take a step forward even if you aren’t winning as many games. The Hornets are in a much more flexible spot than they were a few months ago. And while flexibility doesn’t win games, I think the front office has proven it’s sharp enough to make trades, signings, and picks that ultimately get the Hornets to consistent playoff appearances, even if there are less wins this season.
Akil: You don’t trade the face of your franchise and expect to win more games, right? I think the first indicator of success is going to look like Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel looking like a tandem that can indeed be the nucleus of a team that can not just make the playoffs but win some series – thus at least partly justifying the LaMelo trade. Both will have to be better chance creators on-ball, Miller will need to improve his inside-arc efficiency, and Knueppel will need to prove that the slump that ended last season is both over and not to be repeated.
The second would be a strong indication of successful offseason self-scouting. This team lost down the stretch when outside shots weren’t falling and against teams that could play bully-ball. If they show an emphasis on, and results downstream thereof, interior defensive physicality and generating rim & free throw attempts on offense – that’ll be a successful evolution of Lee and Peterson’s attempt to truly define Hornets DNA.
Steve: Yes, they definitely can. This season to me is now all about how Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel develop with increased responsibility. To a lesser extent, you can throw Coby White’s name in that group as well. If one of those guys can prove that they can be a true go-to, primary option for the team, I think you can feel very encouraged about where things stand at the end of the year. That may not amount to wins this season, but it at least gives you the foundation and peace of mind knowing that you have your guy after trading LaMelo Ball.
Greyson: Last season, the Hornets had finally found an identity. Fast-paced, offensive rebounding, three-point shooting, etc. With the same coaching staff returning and most of the key players, I would suspect to see more of the same. However, the loss of LaMelo Ball changes A LOT. If this team can find ways to keep their identity intact, while improving in areas that were addressed this offseason, such as toughness, and physicality, then I can see this season being a success. I can’t put an exact win total on it, but success looks like feeling confident that at the end of the season there was and is a clear plan in place for life after LaMelo.
Dane: Absolutely. Organizational progress is about more than wins. I want to see how this team competes, executes offensively, and develops the consistency that was missing last season. The blowouts were exciting, but those late-season losses made it clear we weren’t quite ready for the superstar trade so many fans wanted. Peterson still has that trade exception in his back pocket, along with draft capital and young players who could become pivotal trade pieces. We haven’t really replaced LaMelo’s star power yet, and I don’t think we need to rush it. If Charlotte can build better habits and show other stars around the league that this is a place worth playing, I’ll feel better about the franchise’s direction even if we don’t reach 44 wins.