The Charlotte Hornets will be expected to compete for the Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference next season.
The Hornets won just 19 games last season, but there are several reasons to be more optimistic ahead of the new campaign.
Summer signings Collin Sexton and Pat Connaughton will provide much-improved depth at the guard position, while Brandon Miller could take an All-Star leap in his third year.
Plus, fourth overall draft pick Kon Kneuppel was the standout performer in the NBA Summer League, and Liam McNeeley impressed, too.
Another player who will want to make a big impression next season is Moussa Diabate, who recently made a controversial decision.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty ImagesMoussa Diabate declines to play for France at EuroBasket 2025
After declining to play at the Olympic Games last summer, L’Equipe is reporting that Diabate has also refused to play for the national team at EuroBasket 2025.
France wanted Diabate to replace former Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers big man Vincent Poirier in the squad for the tournament.
“We contacted him to come and replace Vincent,” France head coach Frederic Fauthoux said after his team’s 78-73 win against Spain on Saturday.
“But he prefers to focus on his NBA season. He consulted his entourage and made this decision. We took note.”
Fauthoux added on the subject of calling up replacement players: “Maybe, but they are not the first options.
“You have to respect the people who did the preparation and invested in the project. Diabate checked many boxes, but apparently it wasn’t enough to motivate him.”
Photo by MAXIME GRUSS/AFP via Getty ImagesFour NBA players in France national team for EuroBasket 2025
Even without Moussa Diabate, there are four current NBA players in France’s squad for EuroBasket 2025.
Bilal Coulibaly, Zaccharie Risacher, Alexandre Sarr, and Guerschon Yabasele will suit up for one of the leading contenders to win the competition.
France PlayerNBA TeamBilal CoulibalyWashington WizardsZaccharie RisacherAtlanta HawksAlexandre SarrWashington WizardsGuerschon YabuseleNew York Knicks
Diabate is not the only absentee; France’s two best players, Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, pulled out through injury.
Former Orlando Magic favorite Evan Fournier is also missing from the EuroBasket roster, while Nicolas Batum’s international career is over.