Charlotte Hornets rookie center Hannes Steinbach made his long-awaited NBA preseason debut, entering a game against the Brooklyn Nets with 4:29 left in the third quarter. While the Hornets fell 124-90, the team's focus is on development as they build towards the regular season, fresh off a 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on April 12. Head coach Charles Lee highlighted the rookie's physical tools and offensive potential in his brief appearance.
Steinbach's first action came deep into the third quarter, a common approach for rookies in preseason. He logged limited minutes primarily against other end-of-bench competition. But in that short window, the coaching staff saw flashes of his advertised skills. Lee pointed to Steinbach's defensive foot speed and strength, noting the rookie needs to improve his communication and recognition of NBA offensive sets. On the other end, Lee liked his motor, rim-running, and soft hands around the basket.
One sequence stood out. Steinbach hustled down the floor after challenging a three-point attempt, sealed a smaller defender in the post, and finished a calm hook shot. It was a tidy display of the offensive versatility Lee mentioned. Defensively, he had a solid moment staying vertical to deter a layup attempt from Brooklyn's Drake Powell. These are small building blocks for a player adjusting to the professional game.
The Hornets' recent form shows a team finding its rhythm. Their last five games resulted in three wins and two losses, with a pattern of WLLWW. This includes high-scoring victories like a 129-108 win over the Indiana Pacers on April 3 and a 127-107 triumph against the Phoenix Suns on April 2. Integrating a lottery pick like Steinbach is part of the long-term plan to solidify the roster. His development as a potential rim protector and efficient interior scorer could address key needs.
Lee's comments after the preseason loss were instructive. "I'm really excited about the versatility that Hannes brings," the coach said. The team knows his role will evolve. Last season, another rookie, Sion James, saw limited preseason action before becoming a rotation regular who played all 82 games. Steinbach's path may follow a similar patient trajectory.
Preseason is for evaluation, and Steinbach will get more chances to compete before the live games start. The coaching staff will continue pushing him on defensive communication and learning the playbook. His immediate future likely involves spot minutes and G League assignments to accelerate his growth. For the Hornets, the focus shifts to carrying their regular-season momentum forward.
The key for Steinbach is translating those brief preseason flashes into consistent habits. He has the physical attributes Lee wants. Now it's about the mental speed of the NBA game. If he can grasp the defensive schemes quickly, his path to meaningful minutes will shorten. The Hornets, sitting on a 3-2 record in their last five outings, are looking for any edge to climb the standings. A developing Steinbach could become part of that equation later this season.
