Charlotte Hornets season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

CHARLOTTE HORNETS2025-26 finish

Record: 44-38 (9th in the East, lost in play-in tournament to Magic)

Offseason moves

Draft: Hannes Steinbach (No. 14), Christian Anderson (No. 18)

Signings:Coby White (re-signed for 3 years, $74 million)

Trades:Naz Reid (from Timberwolves), Grayson Allen (from Suns), Royce O'Neale (from Suns), Dennis Schröder (from Cavs)

Key departures: LaMelo Ball (traded to Wolves), Miles Bridges (traded to Suns), Josh Green (traded to Wolves)

Current roster

What's in store for Kon Knueppel in Year 2? (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)Jacob Kupferman via Getty ImagesPreseason Power Rankings: No. 16

What's exciting: The Hornets were largely dependent on LaMelo for everything before, and it led to a disastrous play-in loss. Now they have a ton of guys who can create from all over the floor, and my bet is in the long run that'll lead to far greater success. It's just a matter of who, when, and how. Could it be Brandon Miller? At 6-7, his ability to create at his size could make him a matchup nightmare for defenses. Could it be Kon Knueppel? We already know he can stroke 3s, but he's also a nifty creator. And what type of dimensions could White's downhill attacking and Reid's floor spacing provide? The combination of trading LaMelo and bringing in all these guys gives head coach Charles Lee a roster with unlimited options to create.

What's concerning: Hornets fans need to be prepared for a psychological setback. As disappointing as the play-in was for Charlotte, getting there would be an accomplishment this year. The East is far better now. There could be growing pains! And opportunities are no guarantee to immediately lead to results for the Hornets. It may take time. So Hornets fans are going to have to be patient — and new ownership is going to have to be, too, and not make any erratic decisions. — Kevin O'Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

Fantasy watch

The injuries tell the story: Coby White (calf) and Kon Knueppel (hamstring) are out the entire preseason. That likely gives a short-term boost to Dennis Schröder (starting PG) and Grayson Allen (starting SG). Both are free in most drafts and early-season streamers if their aforementioned starters aren't ready for opening night. Don't sleep on Moussa Diabaté as a late-round big for boards and blocks. — Dan Titus

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2026-27 schedule

Opening week: 10/21 at Nets, 10/23 vs. Hawks, 10/24 vs. Heat

Complete schedule

Betting perspective

39.5 — win total

+900 to win division

+12500 to win NBA Finals

Best case, worst case

Best case: No. 6 seed

Growth (and good health) from Miller and Knueppel, paired with continuing to win the math battle — high 3-point volume and efficiency, plus crushing the offensive glass in particular — could set the team up to win more games than expected. If the collective size and toughness added this offseason allows the Hornets to stay switchable and aid in their help principles, they could flirt around a top-10 finish in offensive and defensive rating again. (A reminder that, per Cleaning the Glass, they were fifth in offense and 11th in defense last season.)

Worst case: Just outside the Play-In

This could be as simple as the defense slipping, the Hornets missing LaMelo's ability to draw two or create advantages out of thin air with his passing, and the rest of the conference being too tough for them to carve out a top-10 spot. — Nekias Duncan

Read the full Southeast Division preview