The Charlotte Hornets have already reshaped the roster in a big way, and free agency hasn’t even opened. LaMelo Ball is gone.
Josh Green is gone. Miles Bridges is gone, too.
After those two blockbuster moves, GM Jeff Peterson has made it clear that this summer can go just about anywhere.
That makes the Hornets’ free-agent board a lot more interesting than usual. The biggest needs are pretty obvious: guard depth, more facilitation, and more shooting. Charlotte could also use more defense, and there are a few names who would address that in different ways.
Russell Westbrook stands out as the best pure table-setter on the list. He’s still elite at getting the ball where it needs to go, and that kind of playmaking would be useful for a team that needs more facilitation.
The downside is just as obvious: he’s old, and his shooting remains a real problem. The spacing would take a hit, but the offense would likely get cleaner looks for shooters.
If the Hornets want to lean into spacing instead, Luke Kennard makes a lot of sense. Charlotte could always use another shooter, and there’s even a Duke angle here with Kon Knueppel, Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard, and Sion James all connected to the school in different ways. The fan base would probably enjoy that kind of reunion.
Even after adding Grayson Allen, the backcourt still looks thin, which is why Anfernee Simons belongs in the conversation. He’s the kind of guard who could change a bench unit, and despite moving around and playing on some rough teams, he posted a 3.0 net rating last season.
Jonathan Kuminga is another name worth watching. He didn’t suddenly break out after changing scenery, but he’s still not even 24, and that matters.
He would also fit Charlotte’s age timeline, and the defensive upside is real. The Hornets need more players who can get stops, and Kuminga brings that.
Bennedict Mathurin is one of the better guards available, but there’s a catch: he’s restricted. That means Charlotte would need either a sign-and-trade or a big enough offer to pry him away from the Los Angeles Clippers. A sign-and-trade looks more realistic, especially with the Hornets’ cap situation and a frontcourt that already feels crowded.
That same crowded frontcourt is part of why Walker Kessler is such an intriguing idea. He would give Charlotte the size and rim protection it has been chasing, and that alone makes him stand out. Getting him would also require another sign-and-trade, but the fit is strong enough that he’d be worth the effort.
In Other News...
What Hornets Fans Should Really Expect From Picks 14 And 18
The Hornets used both of their first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft on Hannes Steinbach at No. 14 and Christian Anderson at No. 18, and the natural next question for Charlotte fans is how much those slots usually deliver. A look back across the last decade gives a useful frame: picks in this neighborhood have produced everything from dependable role players to legitimate long-term starters, which is exactly why the middle of the first round can be so intriguing for a team trying to build something sustainable.
For Charlotte, the takeaway is less about chasing certainty and more about understanding the range of outcomes attached to each selection. No. 14 has a history of sending out a wide mix of prospects, while No. 18 has quietly turned up more quality than many would assume, with enough useful players and impact pieces to make the spot worth taking seriously. That is the backdrop for Steinbach and Anderson now, and it is what will shape how their first season in Hornets colors is judged. [Read more 🡒]