Why Acquiring a Plethora of Guards Was a Smart Move by the Hornets
From the NBA Draft to NBA Free Agency, the Charlotte Hornets made moves to solidify their roster for 2026 and beyond. One of the notable things the Hornets did was acquire veteran guards in free agency, such as Spencer Dinwiddie and Collin Sexton, and draft future playmakers for the franchise in Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley. Both the rookies showed what they could do this summer as the Hornets won their first Summer League title, largely thanks to their rookies. Putting the rookies aside for a moment, having veteran leadership in the backcourt and players who can help the team in different ways will help this team contend in the NBA Play-In or make the playoffs in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
After dealing with injuries to guards LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann last season, the Hornets' offense at times looked lackadaisical and uninspiring to watch, except for a few players who were having great stretches of individual success. Now, the team is loaded up with depth that, if an injury to a player such as Ball should happen again, then Charlotte will be ready to plug a new guy in to keep the offense rolling. Players such as Dinwiddie bring leadership and consistent scoring to the lineup. The former Colorado Buffalo has seen his fair share of success in the NBA and will look to not only help the team in scoring, but also mentor the younger players on the roster as well. The Hornets also acquired Antonio Reeves recently and signed him to a two-way contract. The former Kentucky guard has improved his shooting percentage from his time in Lexington and is an underrated three-point shooter. Another guard that will look to help the Hornets is Sexton, and he brings a defensive intensity that the team has not seen in years. The former Alabama guard does the dirty work on defense. He is a guy that players describe as someone that you are happy he is on your team, and you do not have to be defended by him. Sexton will also lead the second unit in Charlotte. Throughout his time in the NBA, he has transformed from a score-first guard into someone who is looking to give his teammates the ball.
Overall, the Hornets made moves this offseason to solidify the guard position and build depth. They drafted future playmakers that can help the team now and have shown what they can do this summer. By bringing in veterans who can do different things, the Hornets hope that their offense is not uninteresting and that the team can make a real push for the postseason this season. Making these additions to the roster will help the team now and solidify the team’s future as a contender in the Eastern Conference.
