Charlotte Hornets, after a 19-63 2024-25 season, focus on the NBA Draft with the 4th pick. Will LaMelo Ball & Brandon Miller get VJ Edgecombe?
StatPro NBA Beat Reporter
Buzz City, let's be real – the 2024-25 season was a tough pill to swallow. Finishing 19-63 and 14th in the East wasn't the script any of us wrote, but as of June 2, 2025, the focus has squarely shifted from the rearview mirror to the wide-open road of the offseason. The Hornets are in full rebuild mode, and the upcoming NBA Draft is a massive beacon of hope.
A 19-63 record and 14th place in the East underscores the urgent need for a transformative offseason.
The Charlotte Hornets officially closed the book on their 2024-25 campaign with a disappointing 19-63 record. While no games were played on June 2nd, the echoes of the season's struggles resonate as the front office, led by Jeff Peterson and new head coach Charles Lee, dives deep into evaluations. The mission is clear: build a contender around the core duo of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. This means tough decisions on the current roster, exploring potential trades, and, most importantly, nailing the upcoming draft.
Speaking of the draft, the buzz is already building around who the Hornets will select with their coveted fourth overall pick. Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, an explosive athlete who turned heads in his freshman season, is heavily linked to Charlotte. Fans are dreaming of a dynamic backcourt or wing addition to complement Ball and Miller. This pick is pivotal; it’s a chance to inject elite talent and accelerate the rebuild. The front office is undoubtedly weighing all options, knowing this selection could define the team's trajectory for years to come.
Beyond new additions, player development is paramount. Rookie forward Tidjane Salaün, the sixth pick in the 2024 draft, is a key focus. Thrust into a larger role due to injuries, Salaün showed intriguing flashes offensively, even stringing together four double-digit scoring games late in the season. However, his defensive rating of 117.1 highlights a significant area for growth. Coach Lee and the staff are prioritizing his defensive development and physical maturation this offseason, hoping to unlock the potential of the young Frenchman.
The reshaping of the Hornets extends to the coaching staff. Nick Friedman, a player development coach with the team since 2019, has departed to join Steve Forbes' staff at Wake Forest. This move signifies ongoing changes within the organization as Coach Lee assembles his team to guide the Hornets' young talent.
In news adjacent to the team, former Hornets owner Michael Jordan is set to join NBC’s basketball coverage next season. While this won't directly impact the Hornets' on-court strategy or rebuild plans, it's a notable development for a figure so long associated with the franchise. His insights will surely be interesting, but for Hornets fans, the focus remains firmly on the current team and its path forward.
With the draft lottery set and key development areas identified, this offseason is shaping up to be one of the most crucial in recent Hornets history. All eyes are on Jeff Peterson and Charles Lee to make the right moves and steer this franchise back towards contention. The Buzz City faithful are hungry for hope, and the next few months will reveal the blueprint for the future.
