As the Charlotte Hornets prepare for the 2024-25 season under new head coach Charles Lee, the pressure is on to show potential fans what they want in this core. The team is coming off a rough season, with DraftKings projecting just 29.5 wins and an 11th-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Player predictions

Using Basketball Reference’s 36-minute projections for 2024–25, adjusted for playing time in previous seasons, we can estimate what to expect from key players. LaMelo Ball, who plays 32 minutes per game, is expected to average 21.7 points, 7.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds. Brandon Miller, also 32 minutes, is expected to contribute 17.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Other players like Mark Williams and Miles Bridges are also expected to play important roles. Williams is expected to average 12.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26 minutes, while Bridges could average 20.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 36 minutes.

Successful season

For the Hornets, a successful season with Ball and Miller leading the team would be a glimmer of hope for the future. The goal is to win over 30 games and get back to the play-in round with a top-10 finish in the East. This would be a significant improvement over last year’s 21 wins. More player progress like Bridges on defense, flashes of potential from Tidjane Salaün and good health from key players like Ball and Williams would be crucial to a “successful season.”

Disappointing season

On the other hand, an unsuccessful season would be a mirror image of last year’s problems, with key players out due to injury and the team unable to string together wins. Avoiding these problems will be crucial for the Hornets to take the next step forward.

With the season just around the corner, the Hornets are banking on the development of their young core and new leadership from Charles Lee. Time will tell if this season brings the progress everyone wants.

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