How can the Hornets replicate Detroit's formula next season?

A 29-game losing streak. 14-68 record. 94-290 from 2019-20 to 2023-24.

The Detroit Pistons were not just the worst team in basketball; they were one of the worst teams in U.S. sports.

One season later, they are one of the most exciting teams in basketball with an extremely bright future. With the Lions and Tigers thriving, sports are back in Detroit.

Every season in the NBA, a team that is in the lottery or play-in leaps into the postseason. Detroit and Houston this season, Orlando, Indiana, and Oklahoma City last season, it is a constant in the league.

Looking at the current standings and end of season play, it's fairly easy to pick out which teams could and should get back into the postseason. The Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs all look primed to get into the postseason.

What about the Charlotte Hornets?

How the Hornets can make the playoffs

Health

Mar 20, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) signals for his three point shot against the New York Knicks during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

It's so much easier said than done. If the Hornets want to make the postseason, they desperately need to be healthy. The team has only seen its core four of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Mark Williams, and Brandon Miller play eight total games together since Miller was drafted in the summer of 2023.

They missed Tre Mann and Grant Williams for essentially the entire season, lost Josh Okogie for a month and a half, saw Josh Green go in and out of the lineup, and towards the end of the season saw Nick Smith Jr start to get injured.

Injury luck is never something you can bank on, it's exactly that: luck. That being said, if the Hornets can stay healthy, they are certainly going to be playing meaningful basketball in April. Before Mann went down, before Grant went down, before Mark came back, the team was 6-7. They went 13-56 for the remainder of the season.

Staying healthy is priority number one if the squad wants to break the league's longest postseason drought.

The Draft

Feb 5, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) and guard Kon Knueppel (7) meet prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

The team owns 14% odds at the top selection in June's draft, similar to Detroit last season. Detroit fell to pick five, selecting Ron Holland out of the G-League Ignite.

This draft class is significantly better and set to be more impactful than the 2024 class was. No matter where the Hornets land, they will land someone who makes an impact in year one. Whether it be Duke's Cooper Flagg, one of Rutgers' duo of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, Baylor's Ace Bailey, or Texas's Tre Johnson, the team will be successful in this draft.

It immediately brings in another impact player, and probable starter, into a starting lineup already involving four good NBA players. If the team were to land, say, Bailey, a starting lineup of Ball/Miller/Bridges/Bailey/Williams is a postseason caliber roster.

They own two of the top four second round picks, which could help them jump back into the first round if there is a player they like. Draft night is set to be extremely exciting for the city of Charlotte.

Free Agency

Apr 15, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles past Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

During free agency, the Pistons added Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, and Paul Reed. Each one of them immediately came in and helped bring the team to success, with Beasley almost winning Sixth Man of the Year.

While the free agency class this season is not incredibly exciting, there are some names that could interest the Hornets:

1. Luke Kennard

Apr 20, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

2. Bruce Brown Jr

Apr 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Bruce Brown (00) drives to the basket past Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and center Ivica Zubac (40) in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

3. Pat Connaughton

Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) drives for the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

4. Khris Middleton

Mar 24, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (32) looks on during the first quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images | Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

5. Jake LaRavia

Mar 22, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia (33) during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Hornets really only need one of these guys to help make an impact. If Khris Middleton were looking to take a smaller role under a familiar face, Charlotte could be the perfect destination. Speaking of...

Coaching

Apr 11, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Pistons hired J.B. Bickerstaff, who was a Coach of the Year finalist. The Hornets do not need to hire a new head coach, as they found their man for the foreseeable future.

Lee is a winner. Every single franchise he has worked with has been a winner with him there. He's the right man to take the Hornets back to the postseason, and the franchise should be excited to have him at the helm.

Playoffs in Charlotte. One season away.

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