PJ Hall Could Be the Answer to the Hornets’ Frontcourt Crisis
Monday night’s loss to the Pistons wasn’t just a gut punch on the scoreboard - it may have left the Charlotte Hornets dangerously thin up front. With potential suspensions looming for Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges after an on-court altercation escalated into a full-blown brawl, Charlotte suddenly finds itself staring at a serious depth issue in the frontcourt. And with options limited, there’s one name that makes a whole lot of sense: PJ Hall.
Let’s set the scene. The incident that sparked the chaos?
A shove from Detroit’s Jalen Duren into Diabate’s face - and things unraveled quickly from there. Diabate, visibly heated, had to be physically restrained by Hornets staff as he repeatedly tried to go after Duren.
Bridges, rather than helping defuse the situation, joined the fray and chased after Duren, prompting Isaiah Stewart to leave the Pistons’ bench and escalate the situation even further.
Now the Hornets are in a holding pattern, waiting to see what disciplinary action the league hands down. But whether it’s a one-game suspension or something longer, the team has to prepare for the very real possibility of being without two of its key frontcourt players.
That’s where PJ Hall comes in.
Hall's Opportunity Is Now
The Hornets’ big man rotation is already stretched thin. Mason Plumlee is no longer on the roster.
Ryan Kalkbrenner is still developing. Grant Williams and Tidjane Salaun (who’s just coming off an illness) can slide into the five in small-ball lineups, but they’re going to be needed at the four - especially if Bridges is out.
There’s no open roster spot to bring in outside help either, with Malaki Branham waived and veteran Pat Connaughton recently rejoining the fold.
Hall, currently on a two-way deal, might be the best internal option the Hornets have to plug the gap.
And the truth is, he’s earned a closer look.
In his eight appearances with the Hornets this season, Hall has made the most of his limited minutes. He’s averaging 7.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and nearly a block per game in just under 16 minutes of action.
He’s also shown a willingness to stretch the floor, hitting both of his three-point attempts. But beyond the numbers, what’s stood out is his energy.
Hall plays with a relentless motor and a no-nonsense approach that coaches love and teammates feed off.
G League Production Backing It Up
If you're wondering whether Hall’s flashes in the NBA are a fluke, his G League numbers say otherwise. With the Greensboro Swarm, he’s been a consistent force - averaging 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 17 games that include both the tip-off tournament and regular season action. That’s not just filler production - that’s starting-caliber output, especially for a team in need of size, rebounding, and rim protection.
Hall’s presence in the paint has been a stabilizing factor for the Swarm, and it’s clear he’s taken steps forward in his development. He’s not just out there to eat minutes - he’s impacting games on both ends.
A Golden Window to Make His Case
With the Hornets potentially down two starters, Hall’s number could be called sooner rather than later. And if it is, this is the kind of opportunity that can change a player’s trajectory - from two-way contributor to full-time roster mainstay.
The Hornets need someone who can hold the fort in the frontcourt. Hall doesn’t have to be a star - he just has to be solid, dependable, and ready to battle. If he brings the same energy and production he’s shown in Greensboro and in limited NBA minutes, he’ll give the organization something to think about long after the suspensions are over.
For a team trying to find consistency in a turbulent season, a steady hand like Hall’s could be just what the Hornets need.