Jeff Peterson is making moves to build for the Charlotte Hornets' future this offseason.
Charlotte Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson has been aggressive in retooling the roster this offseason around the budding stars of Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller.
In the draft, Peterson used the 14th and 18th overall picks to add two more players to their young core: Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson.
He then made a shocking move, sending star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks.
This was a shocking move that added more draft capital while parting from their franchise leader over the past few years.
Peterson wasn't done there as he sent Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick (least favorable of Jazz, Timberwolves, Cavaliers, and Hornets), and a 2027 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick.
While the Ball trade was a risk, Charlotte is banking on building a roster around Knueppel and Miller. Ball is coming off a healthy season, but has struggled with injuries in the past, and has three years left on his five-year $203.8 million deal.
Trading him is a calculated risk and opens up more flexibility for the Hornets to build for the future.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesCharlotte will enter the 2026-27 season with a core of Knueppel, Miller, Reid, and White, plus their rookies, Steinbach and Anderson.
The Hornets also have other intriguing young talent they will continue to develop, including Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Tidjane Salaun, Liam McNeeley, and Sion James.
Charlotte has the talent on the roster to be competitive in the 2026-27 season, but the moves they made are aimed at building for the future. They will likely play many players throughout the season to see who will be part of their core long-term.
The Hornets have more flexibility to make moves this offseason, but Peterson is off to a great start. While Charlotte may have to go through another rebuilding season, they have a ton of draft capital and young talent, giving them a bright future ahead.
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