How This Deal Impacts Charlotte Hornets
No team has had as disappointing of an offseason as the Charlotte Hornets. Not only did they miss out on their top option for head coach, as Kenny Atkinson decided to not take the job less than a week after it was announced, but they also don’t know the status of Miles Bridges.
Bridges was charged this offseason with felony domestic violence and child abuse. His basketball career is very much up in the air, as there is a chance he never plays in the NBA again. This is after a breakout 2021-22 season in which Bridges put himself in a position to earn a max contract as a restricted free agent.
Coming into the offseason, defense was the focus of Charlotte. They struggled on that end of the court, but without Bridges, the Hornets could use some more firepower offensively. Donovan Mitchell would certainly suffice as a replacement.
Mitchell would combine with LaMelo Ball to make one of the best backcourts in the NBA. The defense may be an issue at times, but Ball’s size will at least make it work if he can improve at all on that end of the court.
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Figuring out what to do with Terry Rozier would be next on the docket for the Hornets. He would likely be put on the trade block as there won’t be room in the backcourt unless Charlotte plays small with three guards. It’s certainly plausible with the league transitioning to positionless basketball, but it will have its shortcomings.
Alas, that is something you figure out as things move along. The NBA is a star-driven league and the Hornets would now have two in Ball and Mitchell, setting the foundation for the franchise for years to come.
