Charles Lee‘s first year as the Hornets‘ head coach didn’t play out as he hoped. The team extended its NBA-leading playoff drought to nine consecutive seasons and posted its worst record (19-63) since going 7-59 as the Bobcats in 2011/12. However, Lee tells Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer that he remains confident in a brighter future in Charlotte.
“I’m excited about our offseason,” Lee said. “We have clarity with our (lottery) pick. I think that our team is in a much better spot this year than we were last year. There’s also clarity with who the coach is and what’s expected of you in the offseason. So, I think that we’ve laid out a great schedule for our guys to just continue to get better. We’ve created a great environment for these guys to be able to come in and work, and be around each other, our staff, and just to try to build some more winning habits.”
A report in March indicated that rival teams believe it could be an active offseason for the Hornets, and I noted in my offseason preview on Monday that there likely won’t be many players on the roster who are totally off the table in trade conversations.
Veteran forward Miles Bridges, who was said to be a trade candidate prior to February’s deadline, is one player whose name could resurface in rumors this summer. However, he plans on sticking around the Charlotte area more than he typically would and organizing voluntary workouts for teammates, Boone writes.
“I love that Miles wants to spearhead that,” Lee said. “I think a big part of any type of culture or organization is your best players kind of driving things forward. And him being the leader and wanting to make sure he puts all the guys together in order to work and in order to grow and to learn from one another, I think it’s really important. And he’s kind of set a tone from last year and he wants to continue that ball rolling forward in terms of what work ethic looks like, what professional habits looks like.”
A pair of Hornets point guards, LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann, will also be worth watching closely this offseason. Both players are coming off season-ending injuries – ankle and wrist surgeries for Ball and a back issue for Mann – and Ball has been the subject of trade speculation, while Mann is eligible for restricted free agency.
Lee spoke to Boone as if he expected Ball to be back in Charlotte and said the star guard’s recovery is progressing well. He also said that Mann is making “really good progress” as he makes his way back from his back injury and spoke enthusiastically about the idea of the club re-signing the four-year veteran.
“Tre, he’s a phenomenal player, even better teammate and person,” Lee told The Observer. “And so when you don’t have a guy who can fill it up on the board, can guard, who’s competitive, can make life easier for Melo, and Miles, and Brandon (Miller), and Mark (Williams) or whoever is out there on the court, he’s just such a great talent. So, to miss him to out there and his skill set was definitely unfortunate.
“But also, to just have him around on the court, vocally or at practice or teaching guys — because he does have such a high basketball IQ. But, yeah, I think he brings so much value. It’ll be nice to have him back in the mix hopefully next year.”
Target Jabari Smith Jr and A Thompson
Better draft VJ.
Target Jonathan Kuminga, and something is be a positive person but after a 19-63 record let’s be honest terrible season and not too much expection for chances hornets reality.
If I worked for the Hornets I’d also be excited for the time of year when they’re not playing lol