Charlotte

Hornets

A consistent presence in the Suns’ starting lineup, O’Neale averaged career-highs in points (9.8) and three-pointers (2.7) last season. The veteran wing was also responsible for 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 71.1 percent from the foul line. While not a prolific scorer, O’Neale gives the Hornets a veteran 3-and-D wing the team needs, especially with Josh Green (who was not much of a three-point shooter) being included in the LaMelo Ball trade. As was the case in Phoenix, O’Neale stands to be most valuable to fantasy managers needing three-pointers and steals.

After three seasons in Phoenix, Allen is headed back to the Eastern Conference. While injuries limited him to 51 games, the veteran guard averaged a career-high 16.5 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 three-pointers for the Suns last season. When available, Allen is one of the best three-point shooters in the league, and a solid defender as well. His addition gives the Hornets welcome perimeter depth, which is needed in the aftermath of LaMelo Ball being traded to the Timberwolves. However, availability concerns will affect where Allen is selected in most fantasy drafts.

With his draft rights acquired on the night of the 2018 NBA Draft, Bridges has spent his entire NBA career in Charlotte. He appeared in 77 games last season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 three-pointers while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 82.2 percent from the foul line. His trade is the second for the Hornets in less than a week as the franchise charts a new path, with LaMelo Ball having been dealt to the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Bridges missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a (since-resolved) domestic abuse case, but has been a productive player when he’s suited up.. Bridges can provide solid fantasy value when available, but his ceiling will be capped in a lineup that features Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.

Injuries limited White to 50 games last season. After a midseason trade to the Hornets, his minutes went from 29.1 per game in Chicago to 19.3 per game in Charlotte. White still averaged 15.6 points with the Hornets playing behind LaMelo Ball. With Ball now in Minnesota, White projects as a starter for the Hornets this upcoming season. He’s one of the big winners of the early offseason in terms of fantasy value.

Reid had a breakout season for the Timberwolves in 2023-24 when he won Sixth Man of the Year while averaging 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and shot 41 percent from three-point range. He finished in the top five of Sixth Man voting each of the last two years as well. Reid signed a multi-year contract with Minnesota less than a year ago, but will now find himself in Charlotte as part of the return for LaMelo Ball. Reid should have a similar role with the Hornets either as a starter or premiere bench option. He joins a frontline that also includes Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner and newly drafted Hannes Steinbach.

While the report says the Hornets have not signaled they’re looking to move on from Ball, that has not kept some teams from taking the initiative to see if they can get something done. According to both Charania and NBA insider Marc Stein, Minnesota and Toronto are the teams in question. Having struggled with injuries in recent years, Ball appeared in 72 games last season and was one of the reasons why the Hornets landed in the Play-In tournament. He averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.8 three-pointers per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 89.9 percent from the foul line. If Ball is moved, it would be a clear sign that Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are the Hornets’ cornerstones.

Anderson is considered by many to be the best perimeter shooter in this draft class. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound guard was one of the most improved players in college basketball this season, averaging 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.3 three-pointers in 38.4 minutes. Anderson shot 47.2 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from three and 80.5 percent from the foul line. While Anderson needs to get better defensively, his offensive tools make him incredibly valuable. The Hornets needed another perimeter shooter, especially if they don’t re-sign Coby White, and selecting Anderson addresses that issue. In addition to being able to provide playmaking when LaMelo Ball sits, he can also play off the Hornets’ star point guard because of his catch-and-shoot ability.

The 6-foot-10 Steinbach needed just one season to show that he was worthy of being a first-round pick, thanks largely to his hands and rebounding ability. As a freshman at Washington, the German forward/center averaged 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks, shooting 57.7 percent from the field and 75.9 percent from the foul line. Steinbach did show some signs of potentially being able to expand his offensive game, but the rebounding and touch around the basket are where he’ll stand out early on in his career. While Moussa Diabaté emerged as a reliable contributor and Ryan Kalkbrenner provided depth as a rookie, the Hornets still needed to improve their options in the post. Adding Steinbach accomplishes that goal, and his ability as a rebounder and defender opens the door for him to earn rotation minutes as a rookie.

While there were some rumblings that Bridges could be had for the right price at the February trade deadline, the veteran forward remained in Charlotte. However, that may not be the case this summer, based on Fischer’s reporting. Bridges is going into the final year of his contract, with a $22.8 million cap hit. Regarding the draft, the Hornets currently hold two first-round picks, 14th and 18th overall. Would Bridges plus a pick be an approach for the team to take if they wanted to move up? That will be something to keep an eye on, especially with Charlotte also rumored to be seeking an upgrade at the center position.

After a 2025-26 season in which he won the NBA’s Hustle Award, Diabaté stands to be one of the biggest bargains in basketball next season. His contract for next season is worth just over $2.46 million, a low amount for a player who emerged as the Hornets’ starting center in 2025-26. A starter in 47 of the 73 games he played, Diabaté averaged 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks in 26.0 minutes. If he holds onto the starting center role, with Ryan Kalkbrenner standing to be the main competition for that role, Diabaté can offer late-round value to managers targeting rebounds and blocks.