23. Charlotte Hornets
Just when it seems as if the Charlotte Hornets were beginning to show some signs of life, they are dealt with an unfortunate injury. LaMelo Ball is going to miss at least one week and possibly more with an ankle sprain. When he does return, though, there is at least some hope that the Hornets could climb up the Eastern Conference standings a bit. With Ball and Gordon Hayward playing well, it'll be interesting to see how this team approaches the NBA Trade Deadline.
If they're in the Play-In Tournament picture, will they still operate as sellers? It's certainly something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks. With the new management in place, we could see their first indication of what they're going to prioritize moving forward. Will they try to eke out a playoff appearance or will they start pivoting toward the next build around Ball?
The Hornets are a confusing team that needs some direction. They're talented but still very much have some things to figure out before they feel completely confident in what they're building. There have been some positive signs, however.