The Charlotte Hornets closed the 2025/26 campaign with 44 victories—up from 19 a year earlier—and recorded the NBA’s best net rating from January through the regular-season finale. Despite the progress, Friday’s defeat in Orlando extended the franchise’s playoff drought to a league-high 10 consecutive years.
Head coach Charles Lee called the season “a stepping stone” during Saturday exit interviews, urging players to let the setback “hurt a little bit” and to use it as offseason motivation. “You’re one step away from being in the playoffs,” Lee said. “Think about this offseason—when you’re in the weight room, when you’re on the court—what am I going to do to go that extra mile?”
Physicality tops offseason agenda
Lee and guard LaMelo Ball identified added strength as a primary goal after the team was out-muscled by the Magic. “Being able to handle physicality, I think that’s just a global theme for our team,” Lee noted, pointing to both weight-room work and improved on-court execution.
Knueppel eyes bounce-back year
No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel excelled for most of his rookie season but struggled late, including both play-in games. Appearing in 83 of Charlotte’s 84 contests, the Duke product blamed no one but himself. “I just didn’t make a lot of shots,” he said. “It’s a learning experience—how to keep yourself fresh because these seasons are long.” Lee wants the wing to become a more vocal leader, a challenge Knueppel welcomed.
Key offseason decisions
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, re-signing guard Coby White and landing another prospect with the club’s lottery pick headline the summer to-do list. Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges are all eligible for contract extensions when the new league year opens.
Source: Hoops Rumors
