Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) celebrates with guard LaMelo Ball (1) after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina USA TODAY NETWORK
Earlier this week, with the NBA social media landscape slowing down due to a short break in playoff action, Miles Bridges sent out a simple post on X that might’ve gone unnoticed.
The longest-tenured current member of the Charlotte Hornets typed three simple words on the platform formerly known as Twitter, letting everyone know what his expectations were for the 2025-26 campaign.
“Playoffs next year,” Bridges wrote, ending it with a muscular flex emoji.
But halting the longest current playoff drought in the NBA won’t be easy.
Once again, the Hornets have a slew of decisions to make during another crucial offseason, ranging from the top of the roster all the way down to the final spot. And Jeff Peterson, the president of basketball operations, is merely weeks away from being able to put his plan in motion.
Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) enters Frost Bank Center before a game against the San Antonio Spurs. Scott Wachter USA TODAY NETWORK
Here’s a look at the Hornets’ main rotational players and whether there’s a possibility certain individuals won’t be wearing Charlotte gear when training camp rolls around in the fall:
Question marks
Mark Williams
Contract status: Earning $6.2 million in final season of four-year, $18 million deal
After dealing with the effects of the failed trade, his future is as big of a question mark as anyone on the team. While both sides have said the right things publicly, and there’s no ill will, it’s hard to see there being a long-term partnership between the 7-footer and the team that traded for him on draft night in 2022.
The back issues that caused him to miss the bulk of the 2023-24 season weren’t a problem, but he got off to a slow start thanks to a foot injury prior to training camp. All the ailments he’s dealt within his three seasons as a pro, which have allowed him to play in just 108 games, may make some teams pause. Oh, and he’s also eligible for a rookie contract extension.
But should a comparable offer arise mirroring the initially agreed upon deal with the Lakers, his time with the Hornets would likely come to an end.
Jusuf Nurkić
Contract status: Earning $13.6 million in second season of three-year, $41 million deal
He made it clear he’s happy here and has indicated on more than one occasion his desire to stay in Charlotte. Picked up minutes before the trade deadline in February, he was supposed to serve as a filler of sorts until the Hornets could figure out their next move for a big man following the since-rescinded Mark Williams deal.
Scheduled to earn $19.3 million next season, he makes too much money to be a backup. So, his future key as the Hornets’ brain trust figures out what’s best financially at the center position.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during the second half at Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon USA TODAY NETWORK
LaMelo Ball
Contract status: Earning $37.9 million in second season of five-year, $203 million deal
The talent is unquestioned, it’s the ability to stay on the court that puts him in this category. He’s supposed to be the savior of Charlotte basketball and that’s what the franchise was thinking when selecting him third overall in 2020 behind Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman.
Health, however, has been a major problem.
He had arthroscopic surgery in March to address right ankle impingement, and his right wrist was also operated on in a separate procedure. He appeared in only 49 games in 2024-25, and he’s played in more than 51 games only once — in his All-Star season in 2021-22.
He insists he’s perfectly happy in Charlotte, yet the trade rumors seem to come up. His brother Lonzo Ball (perhaps jokingly) recently fanned the flames with some comments on “The What’s An Experience With Lonzo Ball” podcast by suggesting the Hornets would draft Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper and subsequently trade LaMelo to the Los Angeles Clippers.
That kind of chatter won’t completely die down until Lamelo and the Hornets can prove they can be a winning combination.
Miles Bridges
Contract status: Earning $25 million in second season of three-year, $75 million deal
Without a doubt, he’s proven to be the Hornets best player and showed his worth in the first season of the three-year, $75 million deal inked last summer. He was an ironman, especially by Hornets’ standards, missing only 12 games due to a knee injury that he tried to play through after initially being sidelined by the issue.
His synergy with LaMelo is unparalleled, allowing the duo to make plays that captivate the Spectrum Center crowds. He’s improved his outside game, although he did knock down a career-worst 31.3% from 3-point range, and enjoys the challenge of guarding the opponent’s best player.
At this particular juncture, he likely would bring back a sizable return given his on court production and that’s something the Hornets may entertain if the right offer comes along.
Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (23) during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Spectrum Center. Scott Kinser USA TODAY NETWORK
Tre Mann
Contract status: Restricted free agent
Scheduled to be a restricted free agent, he missed most of 2024-25 with what initially was listed as a lower back injury before being re-categorized to disc herniation weeks later. Which had to be frustrating after a hot start, when he averaged 14.1 points, three assists and 2.9 rebounds in the 13 games he suited up in prior to getting banged up right in late November.
He’s a huge part of their backcourt rotation and the lift he provided off the bench went unmatched for the rest of the season. Cashing in on a lucrative long-term contract could be a tough proposition and the Hornets will have the right to match any pact provided they extend the expected qualifying offer.
There’s also a chance he bets on himself and inks the tender, making him an unrestricted free agent next summer after proving his health.
Could be on the move
Josh Okogie
Contract status: Earning $7.7 million in final season of two-year, $16 million deal
Acquired along with three second-round picks in the trade that sent Nick Richards to Phoenix in January, the veteran wing brought grit and defense to the Hornets, and also added another experienced presence into a locker room in need of more leadership.
The 26-year-old’s $7.7 million figure for 2025-26 becomes fully guaranteed June 30.
While the Hornets could benefit from having him around again, his economical contract that expires next summer may be used in a deal to assist in the matching of salaries during offseason wheeling and dealing.
Josh Green
Contract status: Earning $13.6 million in second season of three-year, $41 million deal
He turned in a very nondescript first season in Charlotte after coming to town via a multi-team trade in July that helped the Dallas Mavericks land Klay Thompson.
Known for his defensive presence, he didn’t contribute consistently enough on offense and that’s something he’s going to be challenged to improve. More balance is a must after averaging 7.4 points in 2024-25.
Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green (10) waits for an inbound during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Spectrum Center. Scott Kinser USA TODAY NETWORK
Teams are always searching for 3-and-D wings and he did knock down 39.1% of his attempts from beyond the arc. He also possesses Finals experience after getting there with Dallas a year ago.
That combined with a relatively inexpensive pact could make him expendable in the right deal.
Seth Curry
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
In a sense, he ended up being a chameleon for the Hornets, constantly forced to adapt to whatever the coaching staff required out of him. He experienced the full gamut in his first complete season playing for his hometown team, doing everything from starting to coming off the bench to registering his share of DNP-Coach’s decision.
He admitted it required a little more effort to get his 34-year-old body primed to put in the necessary on-court minutes, but there’s little doubt he’d like to give whatever he has left — for as long as he can do it — to the franchise he grew up rooting for.
Moussa Diabate
Contract status: Earning $2.2 million in second season of three-year, $5.6 million deal
He went from being an afterthought to a starter, earning a standard NBA contract in the process after beginning the season on a two-way deal.
He finished fifth in the NBA in offensive rebounds per 100 possessions (7.4) and the Hornets’ offense rebounding percentage improved by 10.5% with him on the court, which ranked in the 99th percentile league-wide.
The Hornets like him, but he certainly increased his value and could be packaged in a multi-player transaction.
Nick Smith Jr.
Contract status: Earning $2.7 million in third season of four-year, $12.6 million deal
There were some notable moments in his second season, such as posting a career-high 28 points, a career-high-tying six 3-pointers, a career-best-tying six rebounds and a career-best 10 assists en route to recording the first double-double of his career in Toronto in April.
His continued growth revolves around wanting to become more of a two-way player, ensuring he doesn’t miss defensive assignments, and also still mastering the difference between good shots and when it’s imperative to swing the ball to a teammate for a better look or option.
Taj Gibson
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Although he appeared in 37 games, stepping in at center in a pinch whenever his name was called, the 39-year-old’s true job involved him helping out behind the scenes. He was a pseudo coach in a sense, providing the veteran voice that had been lacking, and sounded like someone who didn’t want to call it a career just yet when asked about his future in April.
Not going anywhere
Brandon Miller
Contract status: Earning $11.9 million in third season of four-year, $49.3 million deal
The 22-year-old doesn’t simply fall on this list because he’s banged up and remains on the mend after having surgery in January to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) during pregame warmups against the New York Knicks at Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon USA TODAY NETWORK
If anyone is cemented on the roster, it’s him. He’s viewed by everyone inside the organization as the future, and the team will surely build around him and figure out what’s the best way to maximize his strengths given he has what evaluators regard as All-Star level talent.
The only concern at this point is him potentially getting off to a very slow start next season due to the season-ending wrist injury. During exit interviews, he didn’t deny had a lengthy rehab ahead but displayed little concern.
Judging by the track record and reputation he’s built, there isn’t much doubt he’ll attack his return-to-play plan with a vengeance and be ready to make some noise in his third season.
Tidjane Salaün
Contract status: Earning $7.8 million in second season of four-year, $34 million deal
Surprisingly taken with the sixth overall pick in 2024, he’s shown flashes of potential. His rookie numbers don’t jump off the page, with him averaging 5.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.7 minutes per game, and his shot has to be refined after connecting on just 33% from the floor and 28.3% beyond the arc.
The 19-year-old needs another couple of seasons of growth until a true value can be attained following a year of see-sawing between “good moments and not-so-good moments.”
Grant Williams
Contract status: Earning $13.6 million in third season of four-year, $53.3 million deal
Injured in the Nov. 23 defeat in Milwaukee, going down with a torn right ACL, he’s still on the mend and that makes it difficult for the Hornets to include him in any package.
But he’s been attacking his rehabilitation and is determined to get back to the level he was at previously, coming off a solid 2024-25 when he averaged career highs in points (10.3), made field goals (3.6), assists (2.3), 2-pointers (2.0), 3-pointers (1.7) and free throws (1.4).