If you’ve been following this team for more than a week, you know the drill. The Charlotte Hornets are basically the NBA’s version of a "fixer-upper" that never quite gets the new kitchen. We’re sitting here in mid-January 2026, and the vibe around the Spectrum Center is... complicated. Honestly, it’s a mix of "Brandon Miller is the truth" and "Wait, are we actually going to trade LaMelo?"
Let's dive into the Charlotte Hornets news and rumors that are currently flying around, because the next few weeks leading up to the trade deadline are going to be wild.
The LaMelo Ball Dilemma: Stay or Go?
The biggest story right now isn't even the games. It’s the chatter about LaMelo Ball. For years, he was the untouchable crown jewel. But lately? Things feel different. People like Gilbert Arenas are out here blasting the team, saying Melo is the only reason anyone pays attention to Charlotte. And he’s kinda right, but that doesn't mean the front office isn't listening to calls.
Reports from folks like Brett Siegel at ClutchPoints suggest the Hornets have "decided" to keep Ball through the end of the 2025-26 season, but that’s a classic "for now" statement. The real evaluation happens in the summer.
Why the change in tune?
It’s the availability.
Melo missed the January 10th game against Utah for "injury maintenance." He’s played about 39 games this season, averaging 20.1 points and 7.7 assists. Those are All-Star numbers, but when you’re 14-25 and sitting 12th in the East, you start wondering if a ball-dominant guard with glass ankles is the best way to build a house.
👉 See also: Calendario de la H: Todo lo que debes saber sobre cuando juega honduras 2025 y el camino al Mundial
He’s looked inconsistent. Sometimes he drops 33 points with seven triples (like he did against the Pacers on January 8), and other times he looks totally non-competitive. It’s frustrating. You see the talent, then you see him sitting on the bench in a sweatshirt during the second half of a back-to-back.
Brandon Miller is the New Alpha
While everyone is arguing about LaMelo, Brandon Miller has quietly—or not so quietly—become the guy coach Charles Lee relies on. Miller is averaging nearly 20 points a game and his "shot diet" is exactly what the modern NBA wants. He’s bombing threes at a rate we haven't seen in Charlotte since, well, ever.
The kid is 6'7" and plays with a grit that some of the older guys seem to lack. In the win against Oklahoma City on January 5, he dropped 28 points and went 7-of-10 from deep. That’s elite. He’s starting to look like the No. 1 option, which makes the Charlotte Hornets news and rumors about a roster shakeup even more believable. If Miller is your cornerstone, you build differently.
The Trade Block: Who’s Packing Their Bags?
The trade deadline is looming, and Jeff Peterson (the VP of Basketball Ops) has some decisions to make. We aren't just talking about fringe guys. Real rotation pieces are being mentioned in every "mock trade" and "source says" column on the internet.
✨ Don't miss: Caitlin Clark GPA Iowa: The Truth About Her Tippie College Grades
- Collin Sexton: He’s been a spark plug off the bench, averaging 15.2 points. But he’s on an expiring contract. Rumors are swirling about a potential deal with the Houston Rockets. The idea is Charlotte takes on an injured veteran (and some picks) to let Sexton go hunt a playoff seed elsewhere. It makes sense for a rebuild.
- Miles Bridges: He’s still productive, putting up nearly 20 a night. But with two years left on a $25 million-a-year deal, he’s a massive trade chip. If the Hornets want to fully pivot to the "Miller and the Rookies" era, Bridges is the most logical piece to move for draft capital.
- Grant Williams: He finally made it back to the court on January 10th against Utah after being out for over a year with that knee surgery. He’s a "winning" player, which means teams like Boston or Dallas are probably already texting Peterson to see what the price tag is.
The Young Core and the "Kon" Factor
One thing that doesn't get enough national love is the 2025 draft class. Kon Knueppel has been a revelation. Most people didn't expect a rookie to slide into the starting lineup and look this comfortable, but he’s playing with an urgency that's infectious.
Then you’ve got Ryan Kalkbrenner. The 7-foot-1 center has been dealing with an elbow sprain lately, but when he’s healthy, he gives the Hornets a rim protector they haven't had in years. Moussa Diabaté and Tidjane Salaün are also in the mix, though they’re still very much projects.
The front court is thin, though. With Mason Plumlee out after groin surgery, the Hornets are basically playing small-ball by necessity. It’s why they’re getting killed on the boards some nights.
What’s Actually Going to Happen?
Look, the reality is that the Hornets are in a "soft" rebuild. They aren't tanking on purpose—Charles Lee is too competitive for that—but they aren't exactly a threat in the East.
🔗 Read more: Barry Sanders Shoes Nike: What Most People Get Wrong
Expect the team to be very active in the next three weeks. They need to turn expiring contracts like Sexton into future assets. They need to decide if they’re riding with LaMelo or if they’re going to pull the trigger on a "historic" haul of picks this summer.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Injury Report: If LaMelo continues to sit out back-to-backs, his trade value is going to tank further. The "maintenance" tag is a red flag for potential suitors.
- Monitor Brandon Miller’s Usage: As the trade deadline approaches, see if Coach Lee starts running more sets specifically for Miller. It’ll tell you who the organization thinks the real leader is.
- Keep an eye on the Rockets and Thunder: These are teams with the assets (picks and young players) that match what Charlotte needs if they decide to move a veteran like Bridges or Sexton.
The next month is basically a giant audition. Every game matters, not for the standings, but for who survives the February purge. If you're a Hornets fan, keep your notifications on. It's about to get loud.
Next Steps for the 2026 Season
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the rotation patterns during the upcoming road trip. If players like Tidjane Salaün or Ryan Kalkbrenner start seeing a significant uptick in minutes over established veterans, it's a definitive sign that Jeff Peterson is ready to move the older guard. Additionally, track the "DNP - Rest" designations for LaMelo Ball; any increase in frequency suggests the team is prioritizing his health specifically to preserve his trade market value for a potential blockbuster move in the 2026 offseason.