The NBA world is in a frenzy and rightfully so. The 2025 Free Agency period has begun and names are flying off the board. From big stars to rotational pieces, many players are finding new homes at an alarming rate. One team who has been making very subtle but substantial news is the Charlotte Hornets.
Riding high off a stellar 2025 NBA Draft, the Hornets were looking to provide adequate talent to a young roster. After drafting their players of the future, Charlotte looked at what was missing and made it a point to add it to the roster. Their first order of business was to snag a playmaking guard who can not only facilitate but also knock down key shots in clutch time.
Colin Sexton comes to the Queen City as a nice addition. He was acquired in a trade with the Utah Jazz for draft capital and Jusuf Nurkic. With this move, Sexton can take over the reins while LaMelo Ball recovers from his ankle injury.
With Sexton in the fold, the Hornets can become much better on the offensive side. The Hornets are ranked in the bottom five of nearly every offensive category. Sexton averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists on 48 percent from the field.
After the trade, Charlotte had to find someone to provide depth to a depleted backcourt. The need for leadership is a key factor when looking for pieces to add. Look no further than veteran center Mason Plumlee, who returns to Charlotte.
Plumlee may be up there in age but he still has the ability to get up and down the floor and bring back that savvy rim protection, which is a piece they desperately need after dealing away Mark Williams. Plumlee has been a serviceable backup for many teams and will continue that in the run and gun style offense in Charlotte.
Buzz City continued moving pieces in the signings of guards Tre Mann and Spencer Dinwiddie. Remember how I said Charlotte’s offense was abysmal? It looks like they found their solution. Mann returns to find his footing after briefly testing the free agent market. He was averaging 14 points per game and shooting 40 percent behind the arc before a back injury sidelined him.
Dinwiddie, on the other hand, was stuck in a rut. After coming off the bench in Dallas, he was limited to what he is capable of. His length can create problems which gives him versatility within the lineup.
Offensively, Dinwiddie can go off for 20 and pass the ball as well as the top point guard. He has been in the league for quite awhile and could provide a veteran's touch in the backcourt. He has also played with many future Hall-of-Famers like Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving. All that experience can make a difference in a close game.
There’s still work to be done, but there could be a chance to see Charlotte improve in the Eastern Conference. Especially if they can get Ball back to fortify the offense.