Charlotte Hornets Stats, Odds, Standings and Schedule for 2023-24 NBA Season
Charlotte Hornets Last Season Performance
The 2022-23 season marked Charlotte’s first season under head coach Steve Clifford after it fired head coach James Borrego. However, it resulted in a drop in performance as the Hornets finished the season with a 27-55 record after going 43-39 in 2021-22.
With another disappointing season, Charlotte finished out of the playoffs yet again, not even earning a play-in spot this time. It marked the seventh straight season that the Hornets missed the postseason and they now own the longest playoff drought in the NBA.
Charlotte Hornets Key Additions
Aside from re-signing LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, the Hornets didn’t make many big moves in the offseason.
Charlotte’s one addition to the team in free agency came in guard Frank Ntilikina, who was signed to a one-year contract. Ntilikina should bring some solid perimeter defense, but he averaged just 2.9 points on 36.4% shooting and 1.2 assists last season.
The Hornets’ stronger additions came through the draft, where they drafted both Brandon Miller (No. 2 overall) and Nick Smith Jr. in the first round. In one season at Alabama, Miller averaged 18.8 points on 43% shooting and 8.2 rebounds. Smith averaged 12.5 points in one year at Arkansas.
Charlotte Hornets Key Losses
The Hornets’ two biggest losses in the offseason were Kelly Oubre Jr. and Dennis Smith, both of whom they let walk in free agency.
Oubre had one of his best seasons offensively last season, finishing as Charlotte’s third-leading scorer. He averaged 20.3 points on 43.1% shooting and also added 5.2 rebounds a game.
Smith, meanwhile, added 8.8 points a game off the bench while contributing 4.8 assists as well.
Charlotte Hornets Head Coaching Analysis
Following the dismissal of Borrego after the 2021-22 season and four years with the team, the Hornets hired Clifford for his second stint with the team.
Clifford was previously Charlotte’s head coach for five seasons from 2013-2018, where he led the Hornets to two playoff appearances. He finished his first stint with the Hornets/Bobcats with a 196-214 record.
Clifford hasn’t gotten his second tenure out to a strong start either, going 27-55 in his first season back and missing the playoffs as well.
Charlotte Hornets Prediction for the 2023-24 Season
The postseason seems like a faraway possibility for the Hornets right now, with NBA odds having them at -700 odds to miss out on the postseason for the eighth season in a row.
Charlotte took an even greater dip in play after hiring a new head coach in Clifford, though some of that can be attributed to star LaMelo Ball missing much of the season due to injury. However, with Ball’s injury history, others will have to step up should he miss significant time again.
The Hornets should get Bridges back this season and should get some solid production from their two top draft picks as well, but with health continuing to be a concern for Charlotte and a strong Eastern Conference, a big improvement upon last season’s record seems unlikely.
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Charlotte Hornets FAQs
[/vc_column_text]When did the Hornets last make the playoffs?
Charlotte last reached the postseason in the 2015-2016 season.
Who is the owner of the Hornets?
Michael Jordan used to be the majority owner of the Hornets, but he recently sold his majority stake to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall.
Who is the head coach of Charlotte?
Steve Clifford recently took over as head coach in his second stint with the Hornets.
Has Charlotte ever won an NBA Championship?
The Hornets have never won an NBA title.