The Charlotte Hornets will launch training camp Tuesday with a squad that forward Grant Williams calls “ridiculous” in its depth. The club traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this summer, then acquired several seasoned players.
“Our depth is ridiculous,” Williams said on No Dunks, according to Roundtable.io. “I was talking to one of our coaches the other day, just looking at the talent on the roster and the ability to shoot the ball, I think we have a great chance to surprise a lot of people.”
Charlotte shipped Ball to Minnesota Timberwolves on June 25. They got Naz Reid back, plus a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks. Three days passed. Then the club dealt Bridges to Phoenix Suns, snagging Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and a 2033 first-round pick.
Ball put up 20.1 points per contest last year, with 4.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists across 72 games. Bridges contributed 17.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 77 appearances.
Williams and rookie Kon Knueppel won’t suit up for any preseason contests. Hamstring injuries hit both during offseason workouts. Doctors will check them again during week one of the regular season, which kicks off Oct. 21 at Brooklyn Nets.
Williams came back in January after tearing his ACL in his right knee. He posted 7.0 points and 3.9 rebounds across 36 games last year.
Brandon Miller starts his third season after putting up 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists last year. General manager Jeff Peterson said Miller has “worked his butt off” recovering from shoulder surgery and will participate in training camp.
Knueppel scored 18.5 points per game as a rookie, adding 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 81 contests. His 273 three-pointers led the entire league and shattered the previous rookie record of 206.
Coby White inked a three-year, $74 million deal on June 25 to remain with Charlotte. White averaged 15.6 points and shot 46.1% from the field and 39.1% from three-point distance in 21 games after his Feb. 4 arrival from Chicago.
Reid averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds for Minnesota last season. He won Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24.
“We have championship-caliber versatility (in the front court),” Williams said, per SI.com. “When you have a front court as moldable as we are, you can go super big, you can go super small.”
Charlotte finished 44-38 last season. They beat Miami Heat in the play-in tournament. Then they lost to Orlando Magic in their second play-in game. Media day is Monday at 11 a.m. ET.