2 weeks Ago By Tyrone Smith, thePeachBasket
With a 19-63 record, the 2024-25 Charlotte Hornets didn’t just struggle — they collapsed. It was a season marked by disappointment, tying the 1989-90 Hornets for the third-worst record in franchise history. For all the optimism that hovered over the Queen City in October, it quickly gave way to frustration.
By mid-season, the Hornets weren’t chasing a play-in spot — they were trying to survive. One of the key culprits in the collapse? The point guard position. What was expected to be a strength, led by LaMelo Ball , Tre Mann , and Vasilije Micić , turned into a revolving door.
Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of cohesion forced the Hornets to dig deep into their depth chart, leaning on KJ Simpson , Malachi Flynn , and even a late-season stint from veteran Elfrid Payton . So, after a season of rotating faces and dashed expectations, how does the Hornets’ point guard room grade out? And more importantly, what does this mean for the franchise’s forward direction? The answers could shape the Hornets’ trajectory for years to come. Limited Contributions Tre Mann appeared in only 13 games before being sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a back injury that required surgery to repair a disc.
During his limited time on the court, Mann provided an offensive spark off the bench, averaging 14.1 points per game on 43.5% shooting from the field, including 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.
Malachi Flynn and Elfrid Payton were brought in on 10-day contracts to address the team’s injury-depleted backcourt. Flynn signed with the Hornets on March 1, 2025, but appeared in four games before his contract expired. Payton joined the team in February, signed two consecutive 10-day contracts, and played six games before the Hornets waived him.
Given their brief tenures and limited contributions, assigning a definitive grade to these players is challenging. Had Mann remained healthy, his scoring prowess might have provided the offensive boost the Hornets needed in several close contests. LaMelo Ball Entering the 2024–25 season, LaMelo Ball aimed to overcome the setbacks of his previous two injury-shortened campaigns and establish himself as a durable leader capable of guiding the Charlotte Hornets to success.
While he achieved a career-high average of 25.2 points per game, 7.4 assists, and 4.
9 rebounds, his season was once again curtailed by injuries, limiting him to just 47 games. Ball’s shooting efficiency declined, as he posted a career-low field goal percentage of 40.5% and a three-point percentage of 33.
9%. In late March, the Hornets ruled Ball out for the season due to arthroscopic surgery on his ankle and wrist. These recurring injuries and inconsistent shooting performances have raised questions about Ball’s ability to be the cornerstone of a championship-contending team.
As the offseason begins, the Hornets must keep building around Ball or explore a franchise-altering trade. Grade: C K.J.
Simpson Entering the 2024–25 season, K.J. Simpson, the 42nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, was projected as a developmental player for the Charlotte Hornets.
However, injuries in the team’s backcourt forced the Hornets to give Simpson a more significant role, starting him in 15 of 36 games. In his rookie season, Simpson averaged 7.8 points, 3.
1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds over 23.4 minutes per game.
His shooting percentages stood at 34.6% from the field and 25.4% from three-point range, indicating areas for improvement in scoring efficiency.
Despite the challenges, Simpson demonstrated potential as a reliable contributor when called upon. The upcoming offseason will be crucial for his development, particularly in enhancing his shooting consistency and overall offensive game. Grade: C Vasilije Micić After a promising finish to the 2023–24 season with the Charlotte Hornets, Vasilije Micić entered the 2024–25 campaign, expecting to build upon his success.
However, his performance declined, as he averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.
4 rebounds over 36 games with Charlotte, shooting 34.8% from the field and 36% from three-point range. In February 2025, the Hornets traded Micić and Cody Martin, along with a 2026 second-round pick, to the Phoenix Suns for Jusuf Nurkić and a 2026 first-round pick.
Following the trade, Micić appeared in five games for the Suns, averaging 4.1 minutes per game without scoring. Reuters Micić’s season highlighted challenges in maintaining consistency and adapting to new team dynamics.
His limited post-trade impact raises questions about his role in the NBA. Grade: D In Conclusion The 2024–25 Charlotte Hornets’ point guard rotation was less of a steady engine and more of a cautionary tale. What began as a promising blend of youth, experience, and upside quickly unraveled into a patchwork effort plagued by injuries and inconsistency.
LaMelo Ball showed flashes of brilliance, but his inability to stay healthy raises doubts about his long-term reliability. Tre Mann teased potential but barely saw the court. The rest of the supporting cast — from Simpson to Micić to short-term veterans — couldn’t provide enough stability to salvage a sinking season.
The franchise stands at a crossroads as the Hornets look toward the offseason. Reassessing the point guard position isn’t just a priority — it’s a necessity. That could mean doubling down on Ball and adding reinforcements.
It might involve reshuffling the roster entirely. The Hornets could also boldly move in the draft or trade market. One thing is clear — they can’t survive another year of uncertainty at point guard.
This article first appeared on thePeachBasket and was syndicated with permission..
