The Charlotte Hornets chose a new, young direction this summer by trading away LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three second-round picks and three first-round pick swaps.
The message was clear despite last season's success with Ball: This is Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel's team for the foreseeable future. The Hornets also moved on from veteran forward Miles Bridges, while bringing in fellow vets Grayson Allen, Dennis Schroder, Royce O'Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith to help guide the team's roster into its next era.
Will the loss of Ball to be too much to overcome? Or is this roster ready to take the next step with Miller and Knueppel leading the way?
ESPN's staff of experts is looking back at the offseason and taking an early look at the 2026-27 season for all 30 teams, with 30 pieces -- one for every team -- rolling out each weekday through Sept. 18. We're answering the biggest looming questions, evaluating X factors and much more for all 30 teams.
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Offseason at a glance Key additions: F Naz Reid, G Grayson Allen, G Dennis Schroder, F Royce O'Neale, F Dorian Finney-Smith Key retentions: G Coby White Key subtractions: G LaMelo Ball, F Miles Bridges, G Josh Green, G Tre Mann
After enjoying their best season in a decade, the Hornets sharply changed course with the surprising decision to trade Ball, their franchise guard, to the Timberwolves. Given that Ball was a borderline All-Star on a max contract, Charlotte opted for a "Moneyball" approach in hopes of avoiding the perpetual mediocrity that tripped up Trae Young's Atlanta Hawks in the recent past.
With Ball and starting forward Miles Bridges moved in separate deals aimed at collecting future draft assets and improving its cap flexibility, Charlotte is now the only team that doesn't have a single player on the books for at least $25 million next season. -- Ben Golliver
Zach Kram's offseason grade: A-
The Hornets were the NBA's hottest team for a large swath of last season, with the league's best five-man lineup. But they weren't sold on that group's long-term potential. So they dealt 28-year-old Miles Bridges and 24-year-old LaMelo Ball to build up one of the league's largest stashes of draft picks and reorient around the younger duo of Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
Charlotte probably won't be as good next season because Ball's playmaking was so central to the team's success. But the Hornets doubled down on depth and shooting, and even their other moves -- from re-signing Coby White to trading for Dorian Finney-Smith and draft picks -- graded well. Charlotte took one step back to set up multiple steps forward down the line. -- Kram