The Charlotte Hornets head into training camp with a 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on April 12, 2026, fresh in their minds. That win capped a recent run of three wins in their last five games, a sequence of WLLWW that provides a foundation for a season of great importance. This year is about determining the franchise's future after a significant roster reshuffle aimed at long-term improvement and flexibility. The real test of whether moves like pairing Brandon Miller with Kon Knueppel will work begins now.
Brandon Miller's contract extension is the elephant in the room. He doesn't have to sign a new deal immediately, and he might not. But the question hangs over everything the Hornets do. When will he put pen to paper? How much will it cost the team's salary cap? What does a big deal for Miller mean for the future role and potential contract of fellow young star Kon Knueppel?
Once an agreement is reached, a new debate will start. Did the Hornets pay too much? It's a complex issue with a simple solution: sign the best young player on the roster. The timing, however, remains completely unclear. Getting this right is essential for the team's financial health and competitive window.
Moussa Diabaté will begin camp as the starting center. He holds the incumbent's advantage. But the position is far from settled. Plenty of projections suggest a real competition is brewing. The Hornets retooled their frontcourt this offseason, creating options and flexibility.
Training camp battles define roles and set rotations for the grueling NBA season. Who controls the paint and grabs defensive rebounds will be vital. The team's recent form, including that 122-108 road win in Minnesota on April 5, showed they can score. Consistent interior defense will be the next step.
The Hornets' finish to the last season provides a mixed but hopeful backdrop. Their last five games yielded three wins and two losses. After a tough 118-100 loss to Detroit on April 10, they responded by beating the Knicks. Earlier in that stretch, they put up big offensive numbers, scoring 129 points against Indiana on April 3 and 127 against Phoenix on April 2.
That offensive firepower, led by Miller and LaMelo Ball, is not in question. The issues were on the other end, like in a 113-102 loss to Boston on April 8. Training camp is where defensive identity is forged. Head coach Charles Lee will be drilling schemes and effort. The goal is to turn late-season flashes into an 82-game standard. This camp is about building habits that last from October to April, and hopefully beyond.
So the Hornets aren't just figuring out who plays. They're deciding who they want to be. Is this a team that wins shootouts, or one that gets stops when it matters? The answers start to form in the gym during camp. Every drill, every scrimmage, points toward the 2026-27 season. That year will offer the first true look at whether this rebuilt roster can actually compete in the Eastern Conference. The work to find out begins now.
