Charlotte Hornets: Ranking all 5 starters for the 2021-22 season

The Charlotte Hornets fell short of making the postseason after being crushed by the Indiana Pacers during the play-in game. But for the first time in recent history, there are legitimate signs of hope for a brighter future ahead within the organization.

Much of that hope rides on one player: LaMelo Ball. One of the most polarizing players in recent history came into the league and balled out – when healthy. Despite missing almost a month and a half of game action towards the end of the season a fractured bone in his right wrist, Ball was still dynamic enough through the rest of the year to earn Rookie of the Year honors.

All of the pieces are in place to make it to the postseason next year, but the Charlotte Hornets starters will have to carry a heavy load.

Charlotte also seems to have a long-term core locked into place to build around. Charlotte acquired Gordon Hayward in a sign-and-trade with a four-year, $120 million deal, which still has three years left. Terry Rozier just signed a four-year, $97 million extension. Miles Bridges is set to be a restricted free agent next year, but it’s hard to imagine he’s not in the team’s long-term plans.

Now it’s just about showing progress on the court. Since changing back to the Hornets ahead of the 2014-15 season, the franchise has made the playoffs just once, back in 2015-16. That marked the only winning season since the name change and the best season by winning percentage since the Bobcats were reborn in 2004-05.

All of the pieces are in place to make it to the postseason next year, but the starters will have to carry a heavy load. Here’s how those starters rank entering the 2021-22 season.