With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Conference: Eastern
Wins O/U: 23.5 (Over +100, Under -120)
Last Year’s Record: 39-43
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): D. Bacon, N. Batum*, B. Biyombo, M. Bridges*, D. Graham, W. Hernangomez, M. Kidd-Gilchrist, C. Martin, M. Monk, T. Rozier*, P.J. Washington, M. Williams*, C. Zeller*.
Key Offseason Moves: Lost K. Walker, Lost J. Lamb, Signed T. Rozier, Lost F. Kaminsky, Drafted P.J. Washington and C. Martin
Overall Summary: Yikes. This may be the least talented team since the 76ers were in the throes of the Process. Losing franchise icon Kemba Walker obviously hurts, but the Hornets also lost their second best player in Jeremy Lamb. It’s hard to tell who their best player is at this point – Rozier is a below average starting point guard, Bridges is a second year player coming off a meh rookie season, and it only gets worse from there. A trip straight into the lottery seems guaranteed, and the crying Jordan meme should get a lot of use this upcoming season.
Verdict: Take the under. While 23.5 is the lowest listed over/under for the coming season, it isn’t low enough. 4 teams (Knicks, Suns, Bulls, Cavs) finished with less than 23 wins this past season, and as I see the Hornets as the worst team in the league, I think the under is a pretty safe bet. I project them to finish 19-63.
