The Charlotte Hornets made significant moves before the NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring future draft picks and reshaping their roster. Notable departures included Mark Williams, Nick Richards, Cody Martin, and Vasilije Micic, leading to a new starting lineup likely featuring Nick Smith Jr., Dalton Knecht, Josh Green, Miles Bridges, and Jusuf Nurkic. Their depth will come from players like Moussa Diabate and Cam Reddish, but with injuries, the lineup may evolve further.

Brandon Miller's absence will keep Knecht in the starting role until his return in 2025-26. The Hornets' recent trades echo last year's strategy of revamping their roster and gathering draft capital to build for the future. The front office's decision to pursue this path stems from an underwhelming performance even when healthy, indicating a clear intent to reinvigorate the team's dynamics.