The Charlotte Hornets desperately want to turn their franchise around. After 35 seasons, they\u2019ve only had 10 playoff appearances. They, of course, have no championships to their name. In fact, they\u2019ve never made it to the conference finals.<\/p>\n
There are many people that can be blamed for this. Players. Executives. Coaches. Not everyone who has been involved in the organization\u2019s mediocrity has had a major role in it. Nonetheless, it\u2019s been a collective effort.<\/p>\n
Now, Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson is being tasked with transforming<\/a> the Hornets into a respectable team. A respectable franchise. It\u2019s not a responsibility that he\u2019s taken lightly. Fortunately for Peterson, Charlotte\u2019s ahead of the rebuilding curve, as they\u2019ve already landed at least two All-Star-caliber talents: LaMelo Ball<\/a> and Brandon Miller<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ball and Miller, both all-around players despite playing different positions, have the keys for the team\u2019s success. The Hornets will largely go as far as they can take them. However, as every championship-contender knows, it\u2019s not just about the stars. Role players will often matter nearly, if not just, as much.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, there\u2019s only so many minutes to go around and only one ball. So, even if a young team like Charlotte values their supporting cast, they have to get creative with their development. That\u2019s where the Hornets find themselves.<\/p>\n As the organization introduced DJ Bakker as the head coach of the Greensboro Swarm, their G League affiliate, Peterson even touched on the topic. Singling out second round picks KJ Simpson<\/a> and Moussa Diabate<\/a>, he reveals that the plan will likely look a bit different<\/a> (h\/t SI.com\u2019s Schuyler Callihan).<\/p>\n \u201cWith KJ and Moussa specifically, safe assumption they\u2019ll spend some time with Greensboro, and they\u2019re excited about it,\u201d Peterson claims.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery player that we bring into this organization, they just want to play, they want to compete, they want to get better. They want to maximize themselves and they know that at any time, this may be the best vehicle for them to do that. Really excited about their option to come to Greensboro and play and get better.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Simpson and Diabate, both 22 years old, always had an uphill to climb if they wanted to be in the Hornets\u2019 rotation. Their draft position aside, Charlotte has players at their positions who are more established.<\/p>\n At point guard, Simpson would have to prove himself more capable or useful than Vasilije Micic<\/a> and Tre Mann<\/a>, Ball\u2019s backups.<\/p>\n This is likely a reason why the Hornets were comfortable signing him to a two-way contract despite him being one of the best point guards in college last season. It\u2019s not impossible for Simpson to usurp either Micic or Mann though. If he does, he could have his deal converted to a standard contract by the end of the season.<\/p>\nHornets Rebuild Won\u2019t Just Have One Development Path<\/h2>\n
LaMelo Ball\u2019s Backups<\/h3>\n