The Charlotte Hornets shocked most around the NBA last season with a 48-34 record, good for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Charlotte pushed the Miami Heat to seven games, proving they deserved to play into May. Heading into this season, the core of Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum, and Marvin Williams are back for another season while welcoming back swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist after being injured the majority of the 2015-16 season.
However, key contributors Jeremy Lin, Courtney Lee and Al Jefferson departed Charlotte.