Coby White Comes Home: Hornets Betting on Long-Term Fit Despite Injury Concern
The Charlotte Hornets didn’t flinch when Coby White’s physical revealed a left calf injury. Yes, it prompted a tweak in the trade terms - they pulled back one of the three second-round picks originally offered - but their belief in the North Carolina native didn’t waver. If anything, it underscored how much they wanted him in the building.
“As soon as I touched down, I felt wanted,” White said. “They keep talking about long term, long term, long term… being back home, it means a lot.”
This isn’t just a feel-good story about a local kid returning to play for his hometown team. It’s a calculated move by the Hornets’ front office - one that could pay off well beyond this season. White is on an expiring contract and will hit unrestricted free agency this summer, but Charlotte made this move with every intention of keeping him around.
“Being able to acquire Coby and his Bird rights is very, very important for us,” said Jeff Peterson, president of basketball operations. “He fits everything we want to be about. We hope he’s a Hornet for a very long time.”
That’s not just front office speak - head coach Charles Lee is already seeing the kind of presence White brings to the locker room. Asked about the team’s newest guard, Lee lit up.
“Spend a minute with him, you can already feel a sense of maturity, a sense of eagerness to want to play and build relationships, a competitiveness to him,” Lee said. “He’s super engaged in everything we do. A great human being… I think he’s already trying to put his stamp on our environment and on our culture.”
White’s impact may not be immediate in the box score - especially as he manages the calf issue - but the Hornets are clearly playing the long game here. They see a guard with scoring chops, playmaking upside, and the kind of mindset that can help build a winning culture. For a franchise trying to reset its identity, that matters.
Around the Southeast: Updates from Miami, Orlando, and More
Norman Powell Managing Minor Injuries Ahead of All-Star Weekend
Miami’s Norman Powell has a busy All-Star weekend ahead - his first All-Star selection, plus a spot in the three-point contest - but he’s dealing with a couple of nagging issues. After being listed as questionable with a right hand sprain, Powell exited Sunday’s blowout win over Washington early due to lower back tightness.
Still, he didn’t sound too concerned postgame.
“I think a lot to do with being stuck on the plane for a lot of hours,” Powell said. “And then soft beds at the hotel… I always get a little back flare-up when I’m sleeping on soft mattresses.”
It sounds like more of a travel-related annoyance than anything that will keep him out of All-Star festivities - or Miami’s stretch run.
Franz Wagner Nearing Return for Magic
The Magic may be getting a major piece of their rotation back soon. Franz Wagner, who’s missed nine straight games and 25 of the last 27 with a left ankle injury, has been upgraded to questionable for Monday’s game against Milwaukee. He’s aiming to return before the All-Star break, and if not Monday, Wednesday’s rematch with the Bucks is his last shot before the league hits pause.
Orlando has managed to stay competitive without him, but getting Wagner back - even at partial strength - would be a huge boost heading into the second half of the season.
Moritz Wagner Still Working Through ACL Recovery
Meanwhile, Franz’s brother Moritz Wagner has been back on the court, but he’s still navigating the long road back from an ACL tear. He’s played in 11 of the Magic’s last 12 games, but admitted this week that he’s not yet feeling like himself.
“My days are full, my recovery protocol is huge, (and) my confidence is still not at a point where it used to be,” he said. “This injury is heavy, man. It’s a really long process.”
Wagner’s honesty is a reminder of how demanding the recovery process can be - physically and mentally. He’s contributing, but still working toward 100%.
Jevon Carter Finds a Fit in Orlando
After being waived by the Bulls ahead of the trade deadline, Jevon Carter didn’t have to wait long to find his next home. The Magic made their interest clear, and for Carter, that was all he needed to hear.
“It was kind of a no-brainer for me,” Carter said. “They wanted me. I like to go where I’m wanted.”
Magic president Jeff Weltman even recalled Carter’s pre-draft workout back in 2018 - a small detail, but one that clearly resonated with the veteran guard. Now, he’s ready to bring his defensive edge and steady presence to a young Orlando team that’s quietly building something.
The Southeast Division is full of storylines as we head toward the All-Star break - from Coby White’s homecoming to the Wagner brothers’ very different injury journeys, and Powell’s All-Star debut. Every team is navigating its own path, but for Charlotte, Orlando, and Miami, one thing is clear: the second half of the season is shaping up to be a compelling ride.