Charlotte Hornets 2023 Forecast: Changes; Depth Chart; Strength & Weakness
Additions:
Nick Smith Jr.
Amari Bailey
Brandon Miller
Losses:
Dennis Smith Jr.
Kelly Oubre
Forecast Depth Chart:
Lonzo Ball | Nick Smith Jr.
Terry Rozier | Kai Jones | Amari Bailey
Brandon Miller | Gordon Hayward | Cody Martin
P.J. Washington | Miles Bridges
Mark Williams | Nick Richards
Sixth Man: Gordon Hayward
Third Big: Miles Bridges
Team Profile:
After laying put that depth chart, I realized the Hornets have a lot more talent than I thought, and I could see them winning as many as 30-33 games. LaMelo Ball should have a big season; Miller could be a 20-point scorer as rookie; the team has Miles Bridges again; and P.J. Washington is as solid as it gets at the four. If the Hornets can get some help from their really young guys, they will be a solid team. Regardless, Charlotte is at least one more season from the playoffs and should have the talent to get there.
Player Profile:
I want to highlight star point guard LaMelo Ball, who isn’t near as appreciated as he should be. Charlotte is one of the weakest NBA markets and hasn’t won much recently. Meanwhile, Ball has had some injury issues, but he’s a 6-foot-7 point guard who is an excellent shooter, scorer, defender and distributor, plus a pesky defender. Ball is a star.