Charlotte Hornets: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

With the 2017-18 regular season just a couple weeks out, we now assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Charlotte Hornets as they look to improve in a weakened Eastern Conference.

The Charlotte Hornets are coming off an unsuccessful 36-46 record last season and face an uphill battle returning to the shape of their 48-win season just two years ago. With limited financial mobility, the Charlotte Hornets faced a bleak future in adding talent to their roster this offseason.

However, before the free agency period had officially started, they were fast to pull the trigger in landing Dwight Howard through trade. While it can be seen as an improvement, Howard is essentially a ticking time bomb on Father Time’s watch. In other matters, the Hornets may have very well struck gold through the draft, selecting Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon, whom they will hopefully get solid contributions from.

With the Hornets showing Miles Plumlee and his hefty contract the door, they were able to finesse some cap room to be available in the future.

In other moves, the Hornets signed Michael Carter-Williams to a one-year, “prove it” deal. His career trajectory has not panned out and has fallen off since a very hot rookie year. Kemba Walker will likely look to carry the weight of this team through the regular season once more.

Even with the Eastern Conference as weak as it is currently, the Charlotte Hornets will have to be on their A-game this season to sneak into a seventh or eighth seed in the playoffs.

Here are three strengths and weaknesses as the Charlotte Hornets head into the 2017-18 regular season.