2. Win the division
This should be the goal for most teams that are in playoff contention and the Southeast may be the easiest division to accomplish that goal. It would be monumental for the franchise to capture their first division title as they celebrate the 30th year of their existence.
If the Hornets make the playoffs this season, even as an eighth seed, that means they likely won 40 or more games. The Miami Heat won the Southeast division with just 44 wins last season and have had one of the quietest offseasons in the NBA, leaving the division wide open this year.
The Ringer actually calls the Southeast the “South-Least” division in the NBA, and for good reason.
"Despite the Eastern Conference having developed a reputation as being wide open in recent years, the Southeast has never really capitalized on that opportunity. Since [2014-15], 14 non-Southeast teams have logged 29 combined 50-plus win seasons. In the Southeast, one team has achieved that, once."
The Wizards are another John Wall injury from falling apart again, the Hawks and Magic are slowly putting together new teams and the Heat are the Heat. Sure, the Hornets have a lot of questions in their frontcourt and what to do at the wings, but if James Borrego can figure it out in a quick manner, the Hornets could be in a prime position to win 44 to 45 games, which could be just enough to capture the division.