The Hornets’ offseason has already turned plenty of heads, and longtime NBA writer David Aldridge is among those trying to make sense of it.
Speaking Thursday evening at NBA Summer League before Charlotte’s game against the Magic, Aldridge said he believes Jeff Peterson is “a good GM,” even if the Hornets’ recent moves have left plenty of people wondering what comes next.
“It's very easy after a 25-game jump to say, okay, we've arrived, but for us to get to our best place, we may have to make some changes."
That’s the tension around Charlotte right now: the possibility that the team is building toward something better, even if the short-term picture looks shakier. Aldridge said the Hornets could simply be dealing with “some growing pains that they didn't have last year,” while also noting, “(But) you have no idea until you see everything come together."
A major part of the discussion is Charlotte’s decision to move on from LaMelo Ball, the longtime face of the franchise, with the trade to Minnesota last month. In his place, the Hornets are betting on Coby White to handle the offense, and Aldridge said he can see why the team would feel good about that.
“Coby’s a really good player, and I could see where they would be very comfortable putting the ball in his hands,” Aldridge said. “You saw him in the play-in game. He was very comfortable at the end of a game with the season on the line, making big plays.”
Even with all the uncertainty, Aldridge pointed to one clear reason for optimism: Charlotte’s stash of draft picks. In his view, that gives the Hornets real flexibility no matter how the next phase unfolds.
“What I like is they have such a war chest of picks now,” he explained. “They can get into any trade they want to get into. So whatever it is, whatever level of player it is, they can get a shot at it.”
For now, that’s the comfort for Hornets fans: the present may be murky, but “tomorrow” is still very much in play.
In Other News...
Miles Bridges Is Back In Another Disturbing Off Court Controversy
Miles Bridges is back in the news for the wrong reasons, with a custody exchange now turning into a legal dispute that has spilled into the public eye. Mychelle Johnson faces misdemeanor charges after allegedly throwing water at Bridges during the June 22 exchange, and Bridges filed the complaint afterward, saying he was worried about their childrens safety.
Johnson, meanwhile, says the charges are part of an effort to have her arrested and take custody of the children, adding another layer to a relationship already marked by serious off-court history. For the Hornets, it is another uncomfortable reminder of Bridges past as he waits on a pending move to Phoenix that still has not been finalized. [Read more 🡒]
Jeff Peterson Just Revealed The Toughest Call Of Charlotte's Rebuild
Jeff Peterson framed Charlottes latest roster shake-up as the kind of move that only makes sense if the Hornets are thinking well beyond the next few months. The president of basketball operations said the organization had to weigh a painful decision against a bigger goal: building a team that can get into the playoffs, stay there and eventually grow into a true contender. He also pointed to the current roster as a reason for optimism, while asking fans to stay with the process as the front office keeps reshaping the group.
The trade also left the Hornets with more flexibility to keep maneuvering, along with extra draft capital to work with as the rebuild continues. Peterson did not lay out a timetable for what comes next, which only adds to the uncertainty around how quickly Charlotte will make its next move. For now, the message is clear enough: the front office believes the hard part is worth it if it puts the team on a more sustainable path. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Suddenly Have A Real Chance At The Center They Need
Jarrett Allen is the kind of center who would instantly change the conversation in Charlotte, which is why a recent trade proposal has the Hornets linked to the Cavaliers big man. The idea is simple enough: if the Hornets want a more stable anchor in the middle, Allen brings the size, rim protection and pick-and-roll presence that can make life easier for a young roster already reshaped by several notable moves this offseason.
The fit is easy to see on paper, especially for a team that has been searching for a true interior answer and could use a veteran with playoff experience. Allen has also shown he can hold up on a big stage, even in Clevelands rough postseason run, which is part of why this kind of move has traction. It remains only a proposal for now, though, and the real question for Charlotte is whether a deal like this ever gets beyond the drawing board. [Read more 🡒]