As the 2024-25 preseason gets underway, the Charlotte Hornets find themselves at an intriguing crossroads. With LaMelo Ball anchoring the team as their franchise point guard and rising star Brandon Miller emerging as a key player, the Hornets’ roster seems well-positioned for success. The addition of critical role players strengthens their core, but injuries have historically been a major setback, and their outdated play style has hindered their progress in recent seasons. While injuries remain a concern, there’s a fresh energy surrounding the team, particularly in their revamped on-court approach, giving fans hope that the Hornets could become a surprise contender in the Eastern Conference.
A major catalyst for this change has been the hiring of head coach Charles Lee. The Hornets brought in Lee this offseason, hoping his experience under coaches Joe Mazzulla and Mike Budenholzer would help modernize their style of play. Early signs suggest that Lee is doing just that. In their first two preseason games, the Hornets have already begun adopting a faster pace, emphasizing ball movement and implementing more flexible defensive schemes. The team is shedding its old, traditional ways in favor of a more dynamic, fluid brand of basketball.
But how are these changes playing out on the court? Let’s take a closer look at the Hornets’ evolution under Lee and what it could mean for their season ahead.
### Embracing the Three-Point Revolution
One of the cornerstones of the Boston Celtics’ success last season was their prolific three-point shooting. They led the NBA in attempts (42.5 per game), makes (16.5 per game), and were second in accuracy, hitting 38% of their shots from beyond the arc. It seems the Hornets are eager to adopt a similar strategy in the preseason.
In Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks, the Hornets attempted 38 three-pointers, making 17 of them for a solid 44.7%. Just two days later, against the Miami Heat, they ramped up their attempts to 51, though they only connected on 14, resulting in a less efficient 27.5%. The Hornets have the shooters to space the floor, but over-reliance on the three-point shot could become a double-edged sword—much like it was for the Celtics in some of their losses last year.
Still, the organized chaos of the Hornets’ new offense is thrilling to watch. It signals a willingness to push the boundaries of their old system, experimenting with a fast-paced, three-point-heavy attack that could catch teams off guard.
### The Rookie Making Waves
Questions surrounded the Hornets’ 2024 NBA Draft pick, Tidjane Salaun, regarding how much immediate impact he could have. With the team’s depth at the wing position, many expected the 6th overall pick to spend significant time developing in the G-League. However, Salaun has quickly silenced those doubts with some impressive early performances.
In Sunday’s game against the Knicks, Salaun tallied 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. He followed that up with a 15-point outing against the Heat, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range. Beyond his scoring, Salaun contributed eight rebounds and three assists in just 25 minutes of action. His offensive versatility is clear, though he still needs to develop his physical strength and improve his defensive game.
Regardless, Salaun’s early preseason performance suggests that he may be ready for meaningful minutes sooner than expected. If he continues to perform at this level, he could carve out a valuable role in the Hornets’ rotation.
### LaMelo Ball’s Redemption
LaMelo Ball’s talent has never been in question, but his availability has. After dealing with ankle injuries that sidelined him for much of the past two seasons, Ball is back, and he’s already showing signs of reclaiming his All-Star form.
In Tuesday’s game against the Heat, Ball reminded everyone of just how impactful he can be when healthy. He finished with 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-12 from beyond the arc, while adding six rebounds and four assists. Even more encouraging for Hornets fans, Ball committed just one turnover and two fouls in 25 minutes.
If Ball can stay healthy, cut down on turnovers, and improve his shot selection, he has the potential to re-enter the conversation as one of the NBA’s elite point guards.
### Conclusion
The Charlotte Hornets enter the 2024-25 season with a mix of uncertainty and potential. Under new head coach Charles Lee, the team has already shown a clear shift toward a more modern, fast-paced style centered around three-point shooting. Key players like LaMelo Ball are looking to bounce back and make statements, while rookies like Tidjane Salaun are quickly proving their worth.
If the Hornets can stay healthy and continue to develop under Lee’s guidance, they have the talent to surprise many in the Eastern Conference. The pieces are in place—it’s now a matter of how well they come together.
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