Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee is relishing the start of training camp, utilizing the extended practice time to fully implement his vision. Lee believes instilling these habits now will give the Hornets their best chance to compete consistently in the demanding NBA season. By DIAMOND VENCES
It’s not like Mason Plumlee needs a basketball interpreter, explaining everything to him in common terms.
So, when the Charlotte Hornets veteran center hears coach Charles Lee break down precisely what kind of tempo he’s seeking compared to a season ago, Plumlee is quite aware of what’s expected of him.
“Yeah, get up, get your ass up the floor,” Plumlee said Wednesday. “No, but it’s exciting.”
This is what Plumlee signed up for.
“It’s important and you know, it’s a long season,” Plumlee said, “and ‘we’re going to play fast for this year’ seems to be the point of emphasis. I think it’s a great, great way to play. And you’ve got to be in really good shape to do that.
“So, personally, collectively, that’s a focus.”
Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee (middle) during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. Photo courtesy @hornets
Inked to a one-year deal in July, he’s returned for a second tour of duty with the Hornets. But unlike his initial stint when he got traded from Detroit, this time he came in as a free agent, selecting Charlotte as his destination.
He’s part of a rotation that includes Moussa Diabate and rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, and is playing catch-up slightly after missing the bulk of the opening week of training camp along with Sunday’s preseason opener against Oklahoma City in Charleston, South Carolina, with an excused absence.
Lee said prior to the preseason opener that he hasn’t decided on the specifics of his center rotation just yet, indicating he wanted to gauge how things transpired when each player was used with certain lineup combinations.
And that’s perfectly fine with Plumlee.
“Every season you want a healthy balance,” Plumlee said. “There should be some internal competition, but you want hope for the next guy, too. So, I think as long as we push each other in practice, then we ultimately want to produce the best player for the team.”
The expectation for Plumlee is to tap into his strengths while aiding the Hornets’ quest to make the leap from mediocrity into respectability. He thinks he brings his own flavor to the roster.
“Just presence at the center position,” said Plumlee, who played for the Hornets from 2021-23. “Presence (and ) I think a voice. I think I have a lot to offer, especially the young guys in my position. But my understanding is we’re playing to win this year.
“So, that was my interest in coming here and I want to contribute to that.”
Apparently, Lee’s already taken a liking to Plumlee. The two had never really crossed paths before Plumlee’s arrival, but Lee seems like he’s really appreciative of what Plumlee can provide on and off the court.
Especially on a team loaded with mostly twentysomethings.
“It’s been really nice to have him back,” Lee said. “His presence alone adds to and elevates our whole environment and to our culture. It’s been good to see him get some work in, pick up some of our plays. He picks up things really quickly when we’ve implemented defensive and offensive things.
“He’s seen a ton, and so we might call it something different, but he’s probably run it at some point during his career. So, looking forward to just building him up appropriately. We’ll keep checking in with our performance staff, keep checking in with him to kind of see where he is. But, yes, I’m hopeful that he’s going to get some minutes in some of these upcoming preseason games.”
During Plumlee’s first stretch with the Hornets, he witnessed the talents of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges up close, giving him a unique perspective. He’s watched their development from afar while suiting up for the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns over the past two seasons, and always left impressed whenever he matched up with his old team in Charlotte.
Charlotte Hornets center Mason Plumlee tries to block LaMelo Ball’s shot during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. Photo courtesy @hornets
“It’s great,” Plumlee said. “We were playing against them last year and you could tell that they’ve taken a significant step in their games. Some familiarity for me, like those are two (players) that you build around here as a franchise and exciting to come back and play with them again.”
In fact, that’s a big reason Plumlee made the decision to return.
“Those two guys you mentioned — Brandon is an exciting talent — I just think that there’s a really good roster,” Plumlee said, “and while it may not be recognized on a league level yet, it’s our year to make that the case.
“So, yeah, I think that this is a team on a trend upward and it’s something that I wanted to be a part of.”
Having a couple of fellow Blue Devils on the team probably doesn’t hurt, either. Plumlee can share Duke basketball stories with rookies Kon Knueppel and Sion James, reminiscing about the days in Durham.
Deep down, it’s obvious to see how excited the North Carolina native is to be in purple and teal again. He just can’t get enough of his home state, it appears.
“To be back in Charlotte feels great,” Plumlee said. “Loved my time here and excited to be back for Round 2.”
With a huge mission and goal in mind.
Plumlee knows as well as anybody there’s a different perception of how the Hornets are viewed nationally compared to locally. As the franchise with the NBA’s longest current postseason drought, which is nearing a decade, and one that hasn’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs, the narrative surrounding the Hornets within the league isn’t great.
Charlotte’s ownership, led by Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, insists it’s committed to bringing a winner to town and Plumlee wants to provide a Ball-like assist in that department as well, aiding in a shift of the team’s culture.
“I absolutely want to help that,” Plumlee said. “And that can only be done in the season and in games. So like I said, let’s have a great preseason and then flow right into making a change.”