The Charlotte Hornets entered the 2026 offseason with a clear organizational direction, and comments from CBS Sports analyst Adam Finkelstein offered insight into how the franchise views its recent roster overhaul.
Discussing Charlotte’s decision to trade away LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, Finkelstein said the Hornets “cleaned up their locker room,” adding that the organization was “getting rid of the bad influences” while “bringing in professionals.”
Those remarks came after Charlotte made two franchise-altering trades that sent its two leading scorers elsewhere. Ball and Josh Green were dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029 and 2030), and three second-round selections.
Bridges, along with a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and another unprotected 2033 first-round pick.
Ball and Bridges were among Charlotte’s most productive players during the 2025-26 season. Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds across 72 games while shooting 36.8% from three-point range. Bridges appeared in 77 games and contributed 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 46.0% from the field.
Despite receiving strong production from both players, the Hornets finished 44-38, good for ninth place in the Eastern Conference before qualifying for the Play-In Tournament.
Brandon Miller led the team with 20.2 points per game, while rookie Kon Knueppel emerged as another foundational piece after averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists on an efficient 47.5% shooting, earning second-place honors in Rookie of the Year voting.
Rather than doubling down on the previous core, Charlotte prioritized long-term flexibility and a different locker-room identity. The return package brought in Reid, Allen and O’Neale—three established veterans—while also adding premium draft assets that could shape the franchise well into the next decade.
The Hornets also reinforced that approach elsewhere during free agency. They re-signed Coby White to a three-year, $74 million contract after he averaged 15.6 points in 21 games following his arrival last season. Charlotte also acquired veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith from the Houston Rockets, adding another experienced defender known for his versatility.
Charlotte continued building around its younger nucleus in the draft, selecting German forward Hannes Steinbach with the 14th overall pick and guard Christian Anderson Jr. at No. 18.
