It seems like so long since the Charlotte Hornets were last in the playoffs. In fact, they have the longest active playoff drought in the NBA, with eight consecutive playoff misses.

Compounding Charlotte’s problems is the fact that they have only made the playoffs three times in the last two decades and have only won three games in that time. Unfortunately, the Hornets’ offseason moves don’t exactly offer hope that the franchise can transform into a contender anytime soon.

Still, the team can only go up after finishing the 2023–24 regular season with a record of 21–61, its worst winning percentage since the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, when it went 7–59.

ESPN, however, does not believe the Hornets will improve immediately, as it again predicted a 21-61 record for the team in its latest NBA predictions.

That may sound harsh, as it’s hard to imagine Charlotte winning about 25% of its games again after some improvements in recent months.

Most importantly, star LaMelo Ball may be healthy again. The former Rookie of the Year appeared in a total of 58 contests over the past two years, but he showed his potential to be one of the best floor generals of his generation when he made 75 appearances in the 2021-22 season and was voted an All-Star that year.

Promising big man Mark Williams is also set to have his big season after spending much of his first two NBA seasons on the injured list. When healthy, however, the Duke University product has shown the potential to be an effective rim runner who can perfectly complement Ball’s game. There was also some good news for Hornets fans after reports circulated that Williams had started training again.

In addition, the Big 3 are in the spotlight in Charlotte, as Brandon Miller has proven why it was worth it for the franchise to draft him No. 2 in last year’s draft. The swingman finished third in the race for Rookie of the Year behind Victor Wembanyama and redshirt rookie Chet Holmgren.

In addition to the “core” that the Hornets’ governor mentioned a few months ago, the team also has a number of supporting players who could step in and provide the necessary athleticism. Some of those who could potentially contribute right from the start of the regular season include Tre Mann, Josh Green, Grant Williams and Nick Richards.

Based on the roster, the team appears poised to make a splash early in the season. New general manager Jeff Peterson and head coach Charles Lee will have to prove they are up to the task of leading a talented roster out of the basement of the Eastern Conference.