After years of being stuck in NBA purgatory, the Charlotte Hornets enter the 2025-26 season with a clearer identity and a refreshed direction. Last year’s 19-63 record left them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference yet again, but for once, the losses didn’t feel empty. Under new ownership and the patient guidance of top executive Jeff Peterson, Charlotte is finally committed to building a foundation instead of chasing short-term fixes. The release of the 2025-26 schedule now gives us the perfect lens to forecast what lies ahead for the Hornets in their most pivotal season in a decade.

Building blocks are in place

For years, Charlotte’s front office made decisions that were reactive instead of strategic. This summer marked a departure from that cycle. Peterson reshaped the roster

See Full Page