The Charlotte Hornets should make an offer to poach a key rotational piece from the New York Knicks.
The Charlotte Hornets had a promising season, making it to the Play-In Tournament and falling just one game short of ending their 10-year playoff drought.
While it was a step in the right direction for the Hornets, they could use roster upgrades to make a playoff push in the 2026-27 season.
One position that Charlotte needs to improve is at center, with the New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson as a potential option. Robinson was impactful for the Knicks, averaging 5.7 points, 8,8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 72.3 percent from the field.
The 28-year-old center is a strong rebounder and rim protector and is entering unrestricted free agency.
Robinson was a key piece for New York off the bench and could be a great rotational center for the Hornets. He could be a starter for them, or they could have him come off the bench behind Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Kalkbrenner had a strong rookie campaign, averaging 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting 75.3 percent from the floor. They could also start their other talented young center, Moussa Diabaté, who averaged 7.9 points per game, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a block while shooting 63.1 percent from the field.
Adding in a center of Robinson's caliber would help Charlotte make a playoff push in the 2026-27 season around the core of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller.
Ball led the way for the Hornets, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the floor and 36.8 percent from three.
Knueppel had a phenomenal rookie campaign, as he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Cooper Flagg. The 20-year-old averaged 18.5 points per game along with 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from distance.
The 23-year-old Miller also had a productive season, averaging 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and a steal per game. He shot 43.5 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from behind the arc.
If the Hornets can add a quality center like Robinson alongside the trio of Ball, Knueppel, and Miller, they could be a playoff team in the East next season.
Hornets Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Hornets. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
