Aug. 19, 2026, 8:09 p.m. ET
The Charlotte Hornets made significant roster changes, trading away LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.Hornets guard Sion James expressed trust in the front office’s decisions to improve the team.Charlotte has acquired players like Naz Reid, Grayson Allen, and Royce O’Neale.James played in all 82 games during his rookie season with the Hornets.
The Charlotte Hornets shook up their roster quite a bit this summer, moving on from former All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball and seven-year veteran Miles Bridges. They also dealt a few of their bench contributors, including Josh Green and Tre Mann.
However, given their recent success, which includes a 25-win improvement from a season ago, there’s great reason to trust general manager Jeff Peterson and the front office, at least that’s what Hornets guard Sion James thinks. Although James was sad to see Ball, Bridges and the rest of his old teammates depart, the former Duke Blue Devil is excited for what’s to come. “We trust Jeff Peterson and the front office to do what they got to do. Excited to have Naz Reid, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, all these guys that are joining us,” said James.
“It’s the nature of the business, and the reason we all play is to get better and to improve and to win a championship. The front office is just doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
While he may not be a household name quite yet, James had an impressive rookie campaign, playing in all 82 of the team’s regular season games, averaging 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, two assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks in 22.5 minutes per contest.
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