The Charlotte Hornets have gotten off to a respectable start and are looking to end a nine-year playoff drought in the 2025-26 campaign.
The Hornets are coming off their worst season since 2011-12, when they finished with a 7-59 record in a lockout-shortened season. However, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each missed significant time in 2024-25, and while durability remains a concern, the Eastern Conference appears relatively open this season.
The Hornets could sneak into the playoffs this season if their experienced pieces stay healthy and their youngsters continue to improve. Still, the team may be kicking itself over a draft-night trade made several years ago.
MORE: Hornets linked to ‘dream’ trade target from Eastern Conference contender
Hornets ‘haunted’ by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade
With Halloween approaching, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley compiled a list of trades that have “haunted” each team.
During the 2018 NBA Draft, the Hornets traded the No. 11 overall pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the 12th pick and two second-round selections. The 11th pick became Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while the Hornets drafted Miles Bridges, Vernon Carey Jr. and Scottie Lewis.
“Bridges has been an almost perfectly average player for the Hornets (career 15.4 player efficiency rating), while Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the league’s inner circle of all-caps ELITES,” Buckley wrote.
Along with Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps, Gilgeous-Alexander was later dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder after his rookie season, with the Clippers receiving Paul George.
While both the Hornets and Clippers lost out on the 2024-25 NBA MVP, the Thunder won a championship with him leading the charge. It’s safe to say the Hornets wish they could have that one back.
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