Hornets Could Be the Surprise of the NBA in 2026
This would be a lot of fun for Charlotte.
The Charlotte Hornets are poised to become one of the more thrilling teams in the NBA for the upcoming season, according to ESPN's projections. The franchise has been singled out as a potential major leap, which could change the way they are viewed. While the Hornets aren't expected to make the biggest jump in the league, they are still being considered as a potential surprise.
This places the 2026-27 season as a hopeful time for Charlotte. In ESPN's ranking of teams most likely to improve substantially, the Hornets were placed seventh, earning them 10 points. This ranking sits them ahead of several other teams that didn't receive any points. This projection is significant as it identifies teams that could see a substantial improvement and not necessarily the biggest leapers in the league.
The Hornets had a rough season last year, finishing 19-63, but even a moderate improvement could drastically change their fortunes. While the Hornets aren't the frontrunners for the biggest leap, they are being watched closely as one of the teams worth keeping an eye on.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
