With a win, the Charlotte Hornets 2023-24 season ended the same way it started. The joys of a win don’t detract from the disastrous season the Hornets had with their 21-61 record. On one end of the spectrum, You can blame an assortment of reasons for the season. Charlotte had their key guys miss many games, coaching that hadn’t changed with the times and ownership, and a general manager who decided it was best to go into a youth movement. No matter the reasoning you believe was the cause of this season being a disaster, Charlotte was not a good basketball team this season.
Charlotte’s season was not without its challenges, as they finished in the bottom half of offensive and opponent points per game (28th in offense, 22nd in defense) and near the bottom in offensive and defensive rating (28th in offensive rating, 29th in defensive rating). However, with the season over, it’s an opportune time to assess and grade the players, coaches, and front office. This evaluation will comprehensively understand the team’s performance and pave the way for a more promising future.
Ownership: Glabe Plotkin & Rick Schnall.
On August 3, 2023, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets for 3 billion. The group that brought it was led by the founder of former Melvin Capital Management and the current founder of Tailwoods Capital LLC, Gabe Plotkin, and co-president of the private equity firm and former minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks, Rick Schnall. For Plotkin, this was an opportunity that came full circle. Since 2019, Plotkin has been a minority owner of the Hornets.
Schnall was a part of the group led by Tony Ressler to buy the Atlanta Hawks in 2015. When an immense opportunity presented itself, Schnall sold his stake in the Hawks. It would’ve been easy for the new ownership to come in and try to expand on the roster Jordan built. Instead, They let the people in power make the decisions that ultimately lead them down a better path. The moves they make to bring in a head coach and a general manager will be critical.
Grade: B+
General Manager: Mitch Kupchak
Kupchak is a legend among NBA executives. He’s won 7 NBA championships as an executive with the Los Angeles Lakers. When he was hired in 2018, There was a buzz about what he could do in Charlotte. His time in Charlotte could be graded as being very mid. There were some bright spots, such as drafting LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, but there have also been some mishaps, such as trading Shai Gilgeous-ALexander and Jalen Duren. Questionable signings such as Gordon Hayward and trading Charlotte legend Kemba Walker for Terry Rozier weren’t perceived well either.
This year, I believe he was able to construct a roster free of the pressure of MJ in the background. Understanding this wasn’t a championship or even playoff roster, Kupchak made moves. Trading Hayward, Rozier, and Washington for guys such as Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, Grant Williams, and Davis Bertans. These young character guys feel roles and, in Bertans case, give you some cap relief in the future. I commend Kupchak for putting Charlotte in a better position going into the offseason as he transitions to an advisory role.
Grade: B
Coach: Steve Clifford
Brought back to rekindle the flame that once burned during his first tenure in Charlotte, Steve Clifford couldn’t get the candle to light correctly. In his two seasons as Charlotte’s head coach, Clifford went 48-116. I will say this: Considering what he had to go through as the Hornet’s head coach, I commend him for keeping his available guys focused on a game-to-game basis. I can genuinely say that no matter who was out there, Steve Clifford was able to get every ounce of ability out of those players.
Facts are facts, unfortunately, and the stats don’t look suitable for Clifford. Known for his defensive prowess, Charlotte was at or near the bottom in defense. Offensively, despite having some guys who could score, Charlotte wasn’t excellent in that area either. It’s safe to say that Clifford’s coaching philosophies didn’t match up to what the NBA is today.
Grade: C-
In Conclusion.
When you look at the direction that Charlotte was going compared to the direction they’re going now, I think the season on that end was a success. Anything Michael Jordan has his hands in, The expectation is for that to be big and win no matter what. I had to feel suitable for everyone involved to get under that pressure. Suppose they can stay healthy and balance out their roster to accommodate the stars they have in place, With a new coach coming in to instill some new philosophies and a new general manager to build a team ready to compete. In that case, The future can be bright for the Hornets.
West Coast Hoops 