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{{Short description|National Basketball Association team in Charlotte, North Carolina}}
{{For|the former NBA franchise named Charlotte Hornets from 1988–2002|New Orleans Pelicans}}
{{For|the former minor league baseball team|Charlotte Hornets (baseball)}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2013}}
{{For|the defunct football team|Charlotte Hornets (WFL)}}
{{Infobox NBA team
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
|name = Charlotte Bobcats
{{Infobox basketball club
|current = 2013–14 Charlotte Bobcats season
|logo = Charlotte Bobcats 2012.png
| name = Charlotte Hornets
| current = 2024–25 Charlotte Hornets season
|imagesize = 300px
| logo = Charlotte Hornets (2014).svg
|conference = [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern]]
| imagesize = 220px
|division = [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast]]
| conference = [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern]]
|founded = 2004
| division = [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast]]
|Perished = 2014
| founded = 1988
|history = '''Charlotte Bobcats'''<br />2004–2014<br />'''Charlotte Hornets'''<br />2014–future
| history = '''Charlotte Hornets'''<br />1988–2002, 2014–present<br />'''Charlotte Bobcats'''<br />2004–2014<!-- Please DO NOT change the history in the infobox; it is official. --><ref name=hornets_name_returns>{{cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-name-returns-carolinas|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=May 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522200148/http://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-name-returns-carolinas|archive-date=May 22, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBA.com/Stats–Charlotte Hornets seasons|url=https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612766/seasons|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Stats.NBA.com|access-date=December 2, 2022|archive-date=December 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202035958/https://www.nba.com/stats/team/1610612766/seasons|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Franchise History–NBA Advanced Stats|url=https://www.nba.com/stats/history|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref>
|arena = [[Time Warner Cable Arena]]
| arena = [[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]]
|city = [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
| location = [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
|colors =Navy, Light Blue, Orange, Silver, White (to be teal, purple, black, gray, and light blue in 2014-15) <br> {{Color box|#0C2340}} {{color box|#418FDE}} {{color box|#E35205}} {{color box|#8A8D8F}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}<br />(to be teal, purple, black, gray, and light blue in 2014-15 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.backbuzzcity.com/purple-and-teal.html |title=Purple and Teal |website=Buzz City |publisher=NBA Media |date=November 24, 2013}}</ref> <br> {{Color box|#260F54}} {{color box|#00848E}} {{color box|#969491}} {{color box|black}} {{color box|#7AABDE}} )
| colors = Teal, dark purple, gray, white<!-- The official team colors for the Charlotte Hornets are teal, dark purple, gray, and white. Please do not change the team color names unless an updated URL source reference from NBA.com can be found. --><ref name="NewHornetsUnis2020">{{cite press release|last=Rochinski|first=Matt|title=Hornets Unveil New Association and Icon Edition Uniforms|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/release-uniforms-083120|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=August 31, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=September 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901143206/https://www.nba.com/hornets/release-uniforms-083120|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Hornets unveil new uniforms for 2091-2100 season|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/31/charlotte-hornets-unveil-association-icon-uniforms-official-release|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=August 31, 2020|access-date=September 1, 2020|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016115909/https://www.nba.com/article/2020/08/31/charlotte-hornets-unveil-association-icon-uniforms-official-release|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Charlotte Hornets Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet|url=https://mediacentral.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/logos/nba/cha/Charlotte_Hornets_Logosheet.jpg|publisher=NBA Properties, Inc.|access-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222163320/https://mediacentral.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/logos/nba/cha/Charlotte_Hornets_Logosheet.jpg|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />{{color box|#00788C}} {{color box|#1D1160}} {{color box|#A1A1A4}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
|coach = [[Steve Clifford]]
| sponsor = None
|General Manager = [[Rich Cho]]
| president = Shelly Cayette-Weston
|owner = [[Michael Jordan]]
| gm = Jeff Peterson
|affiliate = [[Fort Wayne Mad Ants]]
| owner = [[Gabe Plotkin]] & [[Rick Schnall]] (majority)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/group-led-by-gabe-plotkin-and-rick-schnall-finalizes-purchase-of-majority-stake-in-charlotte-hornets-from-michael-jordan|title=Group Led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall Finalizes Purchase Of Majority Stake In Charlotte Hornets From Michael Jordan|date=August 3, 2023|website=Hornets.com|access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref><br /> [[Eric Church]], [[J Cole]], and [[Michael Jordan]] (minority)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/michael-jordan-to-retain-minority-ownership-share-of-hornets|title=Michael Jordan to Retain Minority Ownership Share of Hornets|last=Callihan|first=Schuyer|date=June 16, 2023|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=August 8, 2023|archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230228/https://www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/michael-jordan-to-retain-minority-ownership-share-of-hornets|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/j-cole-eric-church-buy-michael-jordan-charlotte-hornets-stake-1235357016/|title=J. Cole and Eric Church Part of Group Buying Michael Jordan's Charlotte Hornets Stake|date=June 16, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 8, 2023|archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230518/https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/j-cole-eric-church-buy-michael-jordan-charlotte-hornets-stake-1235357016/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|web = bobcats
| coach = [[Charles Lee (basketball)|Charles Lee]]
| affiliation = [[Greensboro Swarm]]
| league_champs = '''0'''
| conf_champs = '''0'''
| div_champs = '''0'''
| ret_nums = '''1''' (<!-- Do not add Bill Russell. Only names hanging up in the arena should be listed here. -->[[Bobby Phills|13]])
| website = {{URL|https://www.nba.com/hornets}}
| 1_title = Association
| 1_pattern_b = _charlottehornets_association2021
| 1_pattern_s = _charlottehornets_association2021
| 2_title = Icon
| 2_pattern_b = _charlottehornets_icon2021
| 2_pattern_s = _charlottehornets_icon2021
| 3_title =
| 3_pattern_b =
| 3_pattern_s =
}}
}}
The '''Charlotte Bobcats''' are a professional [[basketball]] team based in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. The Bobcats play in the [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]] of the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]] in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an [[expansion team]], two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA team, the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Charlotte Hornets]], relocated to [[New Orleans]]. The team is owned by former NBA player [[Michael Jordan]], who acquired the team in 2010. The Hornets play their home games at [[Time Warner Cable Arena]] in [[Charlotte center city|center city]] Charlotte. In their 10-year history as the Bobcats, they qualified for the postseason just twice, once during the [[2009–10 Charlotte Bobcats season|2009–10 season]] when they achieved a franchise-best record of 44–38, and again in 2013–14.
The '''Charlotte Hornets''' are an American professional [[basketball]] team based in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. The Hornets compete in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) as a member of the [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]] of the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]]. The team plays its home games at the [[Spectrum Center]].


The original [[History of the Charlotte Hornets|Charlotte Hornets franchise]] was established in [[1988–89 NBA season|1988]] as an [[expansion team]] owned by [[George Shinn]]. In [[2002–03 NBA season|2002]], Shinn moved the franchise to [[New Orleans]]. The team continued to play as the Hornets until 2013, when its name was changed to the [[New Orleans Pelicans]].
The team was renamed the '''Charlotte Hornets''' for the 2014–15 NBA season after the New Orleans franchise changed its name to the Pelicans for the 2013–14 season. <ref name=jordan_hornets>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/21/bobcats-change-name-to-hornets/|title=Jordan: Bobcats changing name to Hornets|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=May 21, 2013|accessdate=May 21, 2013}}</ref> The name change will become official on the 20th of May 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/queen_city_agenda/2014/04/end-of-an-era-with-charlotte-bobcats-out-of-the.html |title=End of an era: With Charlotte Bobcats out of the playoffs, Hornets return|last=Spanberg|first=Erik|publisher=[[Charlotte Business Journal]]|date=2014-04-29|quote=Within two weeks, the Charlotte franchise plans to flip the switch and become the Hornets, adopting the nickname used by the city’s original pro basketball team from 1988 to 2002.}}</ref>


As part of an agreement with the NBA, a new team known as the '''Charlotte Bobcats''' began competing in the [[2004–05 NBA season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlotte Bobcats Become NBA's 30th Team |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/official_team.html |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref> On June 15, 2006, [[Michael Jordan]], a former [[NBA]] player and member of the [[List of players in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame]], acquired a minority stake in the franchise and became its managing member of basketball operations. On February 17, 2010, an ownership group led by Jordan purchased a majority share of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2023 |title=Here's a timeline of Michael Jordan's ownership of the Charlotte Hornets |url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chicago-bulls/bulls-news/heres-a-timeline-of-michael-jordans-ownership-of-the-charlotte-hornets/490164/ |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=NBC Sports Chicago |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2013, the Bobcats announced they would begin playing under the Charlotte Hornets name in the [[2014–15 NBA season|2014–15 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-name-returns-carolinas |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2013 |title=Jordan: Bobcats changing name to Hornets {{!}} NBA.com |website=[[NBA.com]] |url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/21/bobcats-change-name-to-hornets |access-date=April 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608110427/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/21/bobcats-change-name-to-hornets |archive-date=June 8, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Spanberg |first=Erik |date=April 29, 2014 |title=End of an era: With Charlotte Bobcats out of the playoffs, Hornets return |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/queen_city_agenda/2014/04/end-of-an-era-with-charlotte-bobcats-out-of-the.html |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> On the day the name change became official, the franchise reclaimed the history and records of the original Hornets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/charlotte-hornets-assume-historical-records-from-new-pelicans|title=Charlotte Hornets assume historical records from New Pelicans|date=May 20, 2014|website=NBC Sports}}</ref> The Hornets are now retroactively considered as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, while the Pelicans are now considered a 2002 expansion team.
==Franchise history==


In August 2023, Jordan sold his majority stake in the Hornets to a group of investors led by [[Gabe Plotkin]] and [[Rick Schnall]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Charlie |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Michael Jordan completes sale of NBA team Charlotte Hornets |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/american-sports/michael-jordan-charlotte-hornets-sale-30622578 |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Hornets sale from Michael Jordan to Gabe Plotkin, Rick Schnall finalized |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38127251/hornets-sale-michael-jordan-gabe-plotkin-rick-schnall-finalized |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> He retained a minority share in the ownership of the team.<ref name="auto1"/>
===2002–2004: Team creation===
When the original [[New Orleans Pelicans|Charlotte Hornets]] relocated to [[New Orleans]] in [[2002–03 NBA season|2002]], the NBA promised Charlotte leaders that the city would be granted an NBA expansion team for the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]]. Several ownership groups, including one led by former [[Boston Celtics]] star [[Larry Bird]], made bids for the team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bird, Carr thinking pro hoops in Charlotte? |agency=Associated Press |publisher=USA Today |date=May 23, 2002 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/stories/2002-05-20-bird-carr-charlotte.htm}}</ref> On December 18, 2002, a group led by [[Black Entertainment Television]] founder [[Robert L. Johnson]] was awarded the franchise,<ref>{{cite news |title=Winning NBA bid just the start for Johnson |author=Michael Hiestand |publisher=USA Today |date=December 19, 2002 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2002-12-18-cover-johnson_x.htm}}</ref> allowing him to become the first majority [[African American]] owner in [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|U.S. major professional sports]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Johnson will be NBA's first black majority owner |publisher=ESPN |date=December 17, 2002 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/1217/1478643.html}}</ref> The [[rapping|rapper]] [[Nelly]] became another notable co-owner.<ref>{{cite news |title=Robert L. Johnson Adds Nelly To Bobcats Ownership Team |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=July 19, 2004 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/nelly_release_040719.html}}</ref>


==History==
In June 2003, the team was named the Bobcats. The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission aided with the "Help Name The Team" effort that drew over 1,250 suggestions. The Charlotte Flight was the actual winner of the poll, but was disregarded by Johnson. During the summer of 2003, at a street festival that attracted an overflow crowd of 7,000 fans, the Charlotte NBA expansion franchise unveils "Bobcats" as the team name.<ref name="Expansion">{{cite news |title=NBA Expansion Franchise To Be Named Charlotte Bobcats |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats.com |date=June 11, 2003 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/charlottebobcats_061103.html}}</ref><ref name="Bobcat name">{{cite web|url=http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?|title=Charlotte_Bobcats|work=Charlotte Bobcats|publisher=Hoopedia|accessdate=7 June 2012|date=June 2004}}</ref> The [[bobcat]], according to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, is an athletic, fierce predator indigenous to the Carolinas.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Bobcat: Athletic, Fierce, & Hardworking, North Carolina Native Cat Ideal Representation for New NBA Franchise
{{Further|History of the Charlotte Hornets}}
|publisher=Charlotte Bobcats.com |date=June 11, 2003 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/bobcat_fierce.html}}</ref> [[Charlotte metropolitan area|Charlotte]], already being home to the [[Carolina Panthers]] of the [[National Football League]], made the cat-related name a likely choice for the area's new basketball team.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}} There is also suspicion that owner Robert "Bob" Johnson chose "Bobcats" as a play on his name.<ref>[http://extramustard.si.com/2014/04/29/farewell-charlotte-hornets-bobcats-name-change-retrospective-michael-jordan/ "A Fond Farewell to the Charlotte Bobcats, Who Will Soon No Longer Be the Bobcats" --''Sports Illustrated'']</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Zegers|first=Charlie|title=Charlotte Bobcats: Profile|url=http://basketball.about.com/od/charlottebobcats/a/bobcats.htm|work=About.com Guide|publisher=New York Times Company|accessdate=7 June 2012}}</ref> Along with the Bobcats, the Charlotte Flight and Charlotte Dragons were among the three finalists for the team's potential name.
===1985–1988: Creation of the Hornets===
In 1985, the NBA was planning to expand by three teams by the 1988–89 season, later modified to include a total of four expansion teams. [[George Shinn]], an entrepreneur from [[Kannapolis, North Carolina|Kannapolis]], wanted to bring an NBA team to the Charlotte area, and he assembled a group of prominent local businessmen to head the prospective franchise. The Charlotte area had long been a hotbed for [[college basketball]]. Charlotte was also one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/charlotte-8th-fastest-growing-us-city-unc-research-shows/275-bcf59ea5-e00f-4aba-bdba-5fb6d74cdcaf|title=Report: Charlotte is the 8th fastest-growing city in the US|work=WCNC|date=October 18, 2022|access-date=December 18, 2022|last=Lee|first=Hank|archive-date=December 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214140809/https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/charlotte-8th-fastest-growing-us-city-unc-research-shows/275-bcf59ea5-e00f-4aba-bdba-5fb6d74cdcaf|url-status=live}}</ref> and was previously one of the three in-state regional homes to the [[American Basketball Association]]'s (ABA) [[Carolina Cougars]] from 1969 to 1974.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/18/archives/st-louis-in-a-ba-signs-barnes-new-st-louis-team-in-aba-signs-barnes.html|title=St. Louis in A.B. A. Signs Barnes|work=The New York Times|date=July 18, 1974|access-date=December 18, 2022|page=41|last=Goldaper|first=Sam|archive-date=December 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218074638/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/18/archives/st-louis-in-a-ba-signs-barnes-new-st-louis-team-in-aba-signs-barnes.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Despite doubt from critics,{{whomst|date=July 2022}} Shinn's [[:wikt:ace in the hole|ace in the hole]] was the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], a state-of-the-art arena that would seat almost 24,000 spectators, the largest basketball-specific arena ever to serve as a full-time home for an NBA team. On April 5, 1987, then-[[Commissioner of the NBA|NBA Commissioner]] [[David Stern]] called Shinn to tell him his group had been awarded the 24th NBA franchise, to begin play in [[1988–89 NBA season|1988]]. Franchises were also granted to [[Miami Heat|Miami]], [[Minnesota Timberwolves|Minneapolis–Saint Paul]], and [[Orlando Magic|Orlando]].
The Bobcats hired [[Bernie Bickerstaff]] as the first head coach and [[general manager]] in franchise history.<ref name="autogenerated2007">{{cite news |title=Jordan: Bickerstaff won't return as coach |publisher=ESPN |date=March 14, 2007 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2797095}}</ref> Despite failed attempts at the ballot box to fully fund a new [[Charlotte center city|uptown]] arena, city politicians decided to implement a hotel and leisure tax in Charlotte to help pay for it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arena bounces back |author=Laura Williams-Tracy |publisher=Charlotte Business Journal |date=August 9, 2002 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2002/08/12/focus1.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=With new plan and new NBA team, arena project finally heads uptown |author=Erik Spanberg |publisher=Charlotte Business Journal |date=December 27, 2002 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2002/12/30/newscolumn1.html}}</ref> George Shinn, owner of the Hornets, also wanted the city to pay for a new arena, and subsequently left town when it failed to do so.


Originally, the new team was going to be called the ''Charlotte Spirit'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/04/22/In-a-surprise-announcement-the-NBAs-Board-of-Governors/7096546062400/ |title=In a surprise announcement, the NBA's Board of Governors... |newspaper=United Press International |date=April 22, 1987 |access-date=October 19, 2024}}</ref> but a name-the-team contest yielded "Hornets" as the winning choice. The name originates from British [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis|General Cornwallis]], who allegedly described the city as "a hornet's nest of rebellion" following the [[Battle of Charlotte]] in 1780, though it was first attested in 1819.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-around-town/article236277333.html |title= The unclear origins of the hornet's nest symbolism |newspaper= The Charlotte Observer |first= Nicole |last= Brantley |date= March 8, 2016 |access-date= July 16, 2021 |archive-date= July 16, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210716181013/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-around-town/article236277333.html |url-status= live }}</ref> The team received further attention when it chose [[teal]] as its primary color, setting off a sports fashion craze in the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Creamer|first=Chris|title=A closer look at the uniforms and logos of the 90s|url=https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/537646|publisher=[[theScore Inc.]]|date=July 14, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> The team's uniforms, designed by international designer and North Carolina native [[Alexander Julian]], featured a first for NBA uniforms—[[pin stripes]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/the-making-of-a-classic/|title=The Making of a Classic: An Oral History of the OG Hornets Jerseys|work=Slam|date=February 11, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2022|last=Jones|first=Ryan|archive-date=March 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317182100/https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/the-making-of-a-classic/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similar designs by other teams followed, as they became a hit.
===2004–2010: The Gerald Wallace era===
[[Image:BobcatArena.jpg|thumb|280px|The Bobcats in a game versus the [[Dallas Mavericks]] on November 11, 2005.]]


Shinn hired [[Carl Scheer]] as the team's first President and General Manager.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/how-early-hornets-architect-carl-scheer-left-lasting-legacy-all-star-weekend|title=How Early Hornets Architect Carl Scheer Left a Lasting Legacy on All-Star Weekend|work=Charlotte Hornets|publisher=NBA|date=February 15, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2022|last=Wash|first=Quinton|archive-date=December 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217025919/https://www.nba.com/hornets/how-early-hornets-architect-carl-scheer-left-lasting-legacy-all-star-weekend|url-status=live}}</ref> Scheer preferred a roster of veteran players, hoping to put together a competitive team as soon as possible. Former college coach and veteran NBA assistant [[Dick Harter]] was hired as the team's first head coach.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/1988/6/3/18767705/expansion-hornets-hire-harter-as-first-coach|title=Ex-NBA assistant Dick Harter dies|work=ESPN|date=March 14, 2022|access-date=December 17, 2022|agency=The Associated Press|location=Indianapolis|archive-date=December 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217024421/https://www.deseret.com/1988/6/3/18767705/expansion-hornets-hire-harter-as-first-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1988, the Hornets and the [[Miami Heat]] were part of the [[1988 NBA Expansion Draft]]. Unlike many expansion franchises that invest in the future with a team composed entirely of young players, Charlotte stocked its inaugural roster with several veterans in hopes of putting a competitive lineup on the court right away. The team also had three draft picks at the [[1988 NBA draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988.html|title=1988 NBA Draft|publisher=Pro-Basketball Reference.Com|access-date=December 17, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805030216/http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1988.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Bobcats held their [[2004 NBA Expansion Draft|expansion draft]] on June 22, 2004, picking up youngsters such as [[Gerald Wallace]], [[Primož Brezec]], and [[Jason Kapono]]. They also drafted talented [[Euroleague|European players]] such as [[Predrag Drobnjak]], [[Sasha Pavlović]] and [[Zaza Pachulia]], however they would be cut before the season opener and never played a game in a Bobcat uniform.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nba.com/features/expansion_draft2004.html |title=Building the Bobcats |publisher=NBA |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |date=June 22, 2004}}</ref> Shortly after, they traded with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] to acquire the second pick in the [[2004 NBA Draft]], which they used to select [[Emeka Okafor]], a [[center (basketball)|center]] from [[Connecticut Huskies men's basketball|Connecticut]]. The Bobcats' first game of the [[2004–05 Charlotte Bobcats season|2004–05 season]] took place on November 4 at the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], and was a 103–96 loss to the [[Washington Wizards]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Magical night: Bobcats fall to Wizards in debut |publisher=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241104030 |date=November 4, 2004 |accessdate=June 30, 2009}}</ref> Two days later, they won their first game in franchise history over the [[Orlando Magic]], 111–100.<ref>{{cite news |title=2 for 1: First win for Okafor, Bobcats vs. Magic |publisher=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241106030 |date=November 6, 2004 |accessdate=June 30, 2009}}</ref> On December 14, the Bobcats beat the New Orleans Hornets 94–93 in overtime in the team's first trip to Charlotte after their move to New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cats protect their house in Charlotte in OT |publisher=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241214030 |date=December 14, 2004 |accessdate=June 30, 2009}}</ref> However, the Bobcats mostly struggled, finishing their inaugural season with a record of 18–64, never winning more than two games in a row.<ref>[http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2005_games.html 2004–05 Charlotte Bobcats Schedule and Results]</ref> Emeka Okafor put on a strong performance, and won the 2004–05 [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Emeka Okafor Named 2004–05 NBA got milk? Rookie Of The Year |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/okafor_roy_050504.html |date=May 4, 2005 |accessdate=June 30, 2009}}</ref>


===1988–1992: Early seasons===
In the [[2005 NBA Draft]], the Bobcats drafted [[Raymond Felton]] and [[Sean May]] from [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]]. With them, in addition to Okafor and Wallace, the team hoped to build a young, solid foundation for future success. In [[2005–06 Charlotte Bobcats season|their second season]], the Bobcats opened the new [[Time Warner Cable Arena|Charlotte Bobcats Arena]] with an overtime victory over the [[Boston Celtics]]. Despite struggling again for most of the year, they managed to close out the season with four straight wins to finish with a record of 26–56, an eight game improvement over their inaugural season. After the season, the Bobcats announced that NBA legend and North Carolina native [[Michael Jordan]] had bought a minority stake in the team, becoming the second-largest shareholder and head of basketball operations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jordan to Become Part Owner of the Charlotte Bobcats |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=June 15, 2006 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_jordan_060615.html}}</ref>
[[File:Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets 1988-12-01 (ticket).jpg|thumb|Season tickets for the Hornets' [[1988–89 Charlotte Hornets season|inaugural season]].]]
The Hornets' first NBA game took place on November 4, 1988, at the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], losing 133–93 to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198811040CHH.html |title=Cleveland Cavaliers 133, Charlotte Hornets 93 |publisher=Basketball-reference.com |date=November 4, 1988 |access-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012032854/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198811040CHH.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Four days later, the team notched its first-ever victory over the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], 117–105.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198811080CHH.html |title=Los Angeles Clippers 105, Charlotte Hornets 117 |publisher=Basketball-reference.com |date=November 8, 1988 |access-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012050823/http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198811080CHH.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 23, 1988, the Hornets beat [[Michael Jordan]] and the [[Chicago Bulls]] 103–101 in Jordan's first return to [[North Carolina]] as a professional.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jennifer |last=Armstrong |title=1988 Charlotte Hornets started off with a bang, became wildly popular with their fans |url=http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2009/03/1998_charlotte_hornets_started.html |work=[[The Times-Picayune]] |date=March 14, 2009 |access-date=December 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905123227/http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/2009/03/1998_charlotte_hornets_started.html |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Hornets finished their inaugural season with a record of 20–62. Scheer left prior to the 1989–90 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1990.html|title=Charlotte Hornets 1989–1990 Season Summary|website=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 5, 2006|archive-date=February 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210084753/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1990.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Despite initial concerns that the Coliseum was too big, the Hornets were a runaway hit, leading the NBA in attendance, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte. Eventually, the Hornets would sell out 364 consecutive games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2248058-bringing-back-the-buzz-new-charlotte-hornets-aim-to-match-magic-of-old-hornets|title=Bringing Back the Buzz: New Charlotte Hornets Aim to Match Magic of Old Hornets|last=Menzer|first=Joe|work=Bleacher Report|date=October 29, 2014|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201102959/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2248058-bringing-back-the-buzz-new-charlotte-hornets-aim-to-match-magic-of-old-hornets|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Bobcats showed some improvement during the [[2006–07 Charlotte Bobcats season|2006–07 season]], posting a playoff-hopeful record of 22–33 late in February. However, the team went through an eight game losing streak and dropped their record to 22–41 by early March. Following the slump, Michael Jordan announced that head coach [[Bernie Bickerstaff]] would not return to coach the following season, but would finish coaching the remainder of the current season.<ref name="autogenerated2007"/> The Bobcats won 11 of their last 19 games of Bickerstaff's tenure to finish their third season with a 33–49 record. In three seasons with the Bobcats, Bickerstaff finished with an overall head coaching record of 77–169.


The Hornets' [[1989–90 Charlotte Hornets season|second season]] was a struggle from start to finish. Members of the team rebelled against Dick Harter's defense-oriented style, and he was replaced mid-season by assistant [[Gene Littles]] following an 8–32 start. Despite the change, the team continued to struggle, finishing the season with a disappointing 19–63 record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html|title=1989-90 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-date=July 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704095208/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Front office and coaching were key focuses for the Bobcats during the 2007 offseason. [[Rod Higgins]] was hired as [[General manager (sports)|general manager]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Rod Higgins Named Bobcats General Manager |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=May 31, 2007 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/higgins_gm_070531.html}}</ref> and [[Sam Vincent (basketball)|Sam Vincent]] was hired as the second head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobcats New Era Begins With Vincent |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=May 25, 2007 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/vincent_coach_070525.html}}</ref> [[Phil Ford (basketball)|Phil Ford]] was added to the coaching staff over the summer,<ref name="Assistants">{{cite news |title=Bobcats Announce Portion Of Coaching Staff |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=June 7, 2007 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/bobcats_coaches_070607.html}}</ref> and another position was filled when [[Buzz Peterson]] was hired from [[Coastal Carolina University]] to become director of player personnel.<ref>{{cite news |title=More Members Added To Basketball Operations Staff |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=June 18, 2007 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/bobcats_coaches_070618.html}}</ref> In the [[2007 NBA Draft]], [[Brandan Wright]] was selected by the Bobcats with the eighth pick; he was subsequently traded to Golden State in a deal that included [[Jason Richardson]] being sent to Charlotte. The Bobcats were unable to capitalize on offseason moves, though, finishing the [[2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats season|2007–08 season]] with a disappointing 32–50 record. The team, which felt confident the season would end with its first playoff berth, struggled amid rumors of players clashing with the coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobcats fire Sam Vincent as coach after one season |agency=Associated Press |publisher=USA Today |date=April 26, 2008 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/bobcats/2008-04-26-vincent-fired_N.htm}}</ref> Only lasting a year, in which he struggled with personnel decisions, Sam Vincent was fired on April 26, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sam Vincent Relieved of Head Coaching Duties |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=April 26, 2008 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_vincent_relieved_080426.html}}</ref>


The team showed improvement during the [[1990–91 Charlotte Hornets season|following season]]. They won eight of their first fifteen games, including a 120–105 victory over the [[Washington Bullets]]. However, the team went cold, losing their next eleven games. The Hornets, who hosted the [[1991 NBA All-Star Game]], finished with a 26–56 record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1991.html|title=1990-91 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-date=July 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704063000/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1991.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the team's seven-game improvement over the previous season, Gene Littles was fired at the end of the season and replaced by general manager [[Allan Bristow]].
[[File:Michael Jordan.jpg|thumb||180px|[[Michael Jordan]] acquired the Bobcats in 2010.]]
On April 29, 2008 the Bobcats reached an agreement to hire [[Basketball Hall of Fame]]r [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] as the third head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobcats Name Larry Brown Head Coach |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=April 29, 2008 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_brown_named_coach_080429.html}}</ref> With the ninth selection of the [[2008 NBA Draft]], the Bobcats selected [[D. J. Augustin]] from [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]]. On December 10, 2008, a little over a month into the season, the Bobcats traded their leading scorer, [[Jason Richardson]] along with [[Jared Dudley]] to Phoenix in exchange for [[Boris Diaw]] and [[Raja Bell]]. The trade turned out to be quite successful as the team came very close to reaching the franchise's first playoff berth during the [[2008–09 Charlotte Bobcats season|2008–09 season]], but finished just four games out of eighth place with a team record of 35 wins and 47 losses. Members of the team voiced their frustration at management for hosting the Charlotte Jumper Classic, an equestrian event, at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nba.com/2009/news/04/09/bobcats.road.schedule.ap/index.html |title=Bobcats ticked about four-game road trip to close out season| agency=Associated Press |publisher=NBA |date=April 9, 2009 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 }}</ref> The scheduling conflict forced the Bobcats to play their final four games on the road, virtually ending any playoff hopes. Following the season, Robert Johnson announced he was putting the team up for sale.


With the first pick in the [[1991 NBA draft]], the Hornets drafted [[power forward (basketball)|power forward]] [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] from the [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball|University of Nevada, Las Vegas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1991.html|title=1991 NBA Draft|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 17, 2022|archive-date=December 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217024957/https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1991.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson had an impact season, finishing among the league leaders in points and rebounds, and winning the 1992 [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1992|title=NBA History - 1992 Awards|work=ESPN|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201102958/http://www.espn.com/nba/history/awards/_/year/1992|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, Guard [[Kendall Gill]] led the club in scoring, averaging over 20 points per game. The team stayed in contention for a playoff spot until March, but finished the year with a 31–51 record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html|title=1991-92 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501173121/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
====2009–2010: Michael Jordan's acquisition of the franchise====
During the offseason, [[Gerald Henderson, Jr.|Gerald Henderson]] from [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] was chosen with the 12th pick by the Bobcats in the [[2009 NBA Draft]]. The Bobcats traded [[Emeka Okafor]] for [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets]] center [[Tyson Chandler]], and through more trades acquired [[Stephen Jackson]] and [[Acie Law]] from the [[Golden State Warriors]]. On February 27, 2010, it was announced that Robert Johnson had decided to sell the team to Michael Jordan, allowing Jordan to become the first former NBA player to become majority owner of a franchise.<ref name="JordanBuy">{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/27/michael.jordan.bobcats/index.html | work=CNN | title=Michael Jordan reaches deal to buy NBA's Bobcats | date=February 27, 2010}}</ref>


===1992–1995: The Larry Johnson/Alonzo Mourning era===
On April 9, 2010, the Bobcats clinched their first ever [[2010 NBA Playoffs|playoff berth]] with an exciting 104–103 road win over the [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets]], finishing the [[2009-10 Charlotte Bobcats season|2009–10 season]] with an overall record of 44–38, the team's first-ever winning record. Gerald Wallace was a huge factor in the Bobcats run to the playoffs as he became the first player in franchise history to become an [[NBA All-Star]]. However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Bobcats were swept by the [[Orlando Magic]], quickly ending their season.
The Hornets were in the lottery again in 1992 and won the second overall pick in the draft, using it to select [[Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball|Georgetown]] center [[Alonzo Mourning]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1992.html|title=1992 NBA Draft|access-date=December 17, 2022|work=Basketball Reference|archive-date=April 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408184819/https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1992.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-legends-dell-curry-and-alonzo-mourning-be-honored-halftime-ceremonies|title=Hornets Legend Alonzo Mourning to be Honored in Halftime Ceremony on February 5 Buzz City Night|last=Wash|first=Quinton|date=November 4, 2015|website=Hornets.com|access-date=February 5, 2023|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205163616/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-legends-dell-curry-and-alonzo-mourning-be-honored-halftime-ceremonies|url-status=live}}</ref> Charlotte now had two 20–10 threats in Johnson and Mourning, who with Kendall Gill, formed perhaps the league's top young trio. The team finished [[1992–93 Charlotte Hornets season|their fifth season]] at 44–38, their first-ever winning record and good enough for the first [[1993 NBA playoffs|playoff berth]] in franchise history. Finishing fifth in the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]], the Hornets upset the [[Boston Celtics]] in the first round, with Mourning winning the series with a 20-footer in game four.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/06/sports/pro-basketball-hornets-oust-celtics-in-down-to-wire-style.html|title=Hornets Oust Celtics in down-to-wire Style|last=Moran|first=Malcolm|date=May 6, 1993|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 8, 2011|archive-date=December 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212103421/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/06/sports/pro-basketball-hornets-oust-celtics-in-down-to-wire-style.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Hornets lacked the experience and depth to defeat the [[New York Knicks]], falling in five games in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1993.html|title=1992–93 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats|publisher=Basketball Reference.Com|access-date=February 15, 2020|archive-date=April 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426170759/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1993.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


The Hornets finished the [[1993–94 NBA season|1993–94 season]] with a 41–41 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. Despite injuries to both Johnson and Mourning, the two led the team in points-per-game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1994.html|title=1993-94 Charlotte Hornets Rosters and Stats|work=Basketball Reference|access-date=December 17, 2022|archive-date=December 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217030030/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1994.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===2010–2012: Struggles and worst record in NBA history===
The Bobcats began the [[2010–11 Charlotte Bobcats season|2010–11 season]] with high hopes following their success the previous season. Despite the departures of key players such as [[Raymond Felton]] and [[Tyson Chandler]], the Bobcats started their season hoping to once again make the playoffs. However, the Bobcats struggled early during the season, and on December 22, 2010, following a dismal 9–19 start, Michael Jordan announced that Larry Brown had stepped down as the Bobcats Head Coach; that same day, veteran coach [[Paul Silas]] was hired as their new head coach. On February 24, 2011, the day of the NBA trade deadline, the Bobcats made some moves to clear up some cap space by sending former all-star forward [[Gerald Wallace]] to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] for two first round draft picks, [[Joel Przybilla]], [[Sean Marks]], and [[Dante Cunningham]]. They also sent veteran center [[Nazr Mohammed]] to the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] for [[DJ White]] and [[Mo Peterson]]. Going down the stretch, the injuries of [[Stephen Jackson]] and [[Tyrus Thomas]] killed any chances of Charlotte trying to catch the [[Indiana Pacers]], who swept them 0–4 in the regular season, for the eighth spot in the east. In the end, the Bobcats finished the season with a 34–48 record, finishing 25–29 under Paul Silas.


In the [[1994–95 NBA season|1994–95 season]], the Hornets finished with a 50–32 record, returning to [[1995 NBA playoffs|the playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1995.html|title=Charlotte Hornets 1994–1995 Summary|publisher=Pro-Basketball Reference.com|access-date=December 14, 2016|archive-date=January 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106162058/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1995.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson and Mourning again led the team in points-per-game, while also leading the club in rebounding. However, Charlotte was bounced from the playoffs in the first round, falling to the [[Chicago Bulls]] in four games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-05-sp-62725-story.html|title=Hornets Can't Catch the Bulls at Four and Bow Out : NBA playoffs: Charlotte misses two last-second shots and Chicago advances with 85-84 victory|date=May 5, 1995|access-date=December 17, 2022|location=Chicago|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|last=Dillman|first=Lisa|archive-date=November 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125221332/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-05-sp-62725-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the season, the Hornets traded Mourning to the [[Miami Heat]] for forward [[Glen Rice]], center [[Matt Geiger]], and guard [[Khalid Reeves]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-11-04-9511040064-story.html|title=Mourning OFF To Miami|last=Smith|first=Sam|date=November 4, 1995|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=February 15, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215174351/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-11-04-9511040064-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 13, 2011, the Bobcats made some moves to their front office by hiring former Portland Trail Blazers general manager Rich Cho to the same position and promoting Rod Higgins to President of Basketball Operations. On the day of the [[2011 NBA Draft]] the Bobcats once again made a major roster move by sending [[Stephen Jackson]], [[Shaun Livingston]], and the 19th overall pick to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. In return, the Bobcats received former Duke star [[Corey Maggette]] and the 7th overall pick. They used that pick to draft forward [[Bismack Biyombo]] and then drafted [[Kemba Walker]], the [[NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player]], with the 9th pick in the draft. They also made a few more acquisitions by trading their 2013 second-round draft pick to the Thunder for 7-footer [[Byron Mullens]] and signing sharpshooter [[Reggie Williams (basketball, born 1986)|Reggie Williams]] in free agency. The Bobcats started the [[2011–12 Charlotte Bobcats season|2011–12 season]] with a close 96–95 win against [[Stephen Jackson]] and the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in their home opener but wins would be hard to come by after that. In the lockout-shortened season the Bobcats struggled and posted an NBA-worst record of 7–59, losing their last 23 games of the season. In a nationally televised game against the [[New York Knicks]] the Bobcats recorded yet another loss as their win percentage dropped to .106, setting a new record for the worst season by an NBA team in history. (As this season had been shortened by the lockout, the 1972–73 [[Philadelphia 76ers]] still hold the record for most losses in a season, with 73.) On April 30, 2012, the Bobcats announced that Silas would not return to the team for the 2012–2013 season. [[St. John's Red Storm|St. John's]] assistant [[Mike Dunlap]] was named his successor.


===1995–1998: The Glen Rice era===
===2012–present: 'Buzz City' – The Hornets Return===
[[Glen Rice]] would make an immediate impact after joining the Hornets, leading the team in scoring and points-per-game during the [[1995–96 NBA season|1995–96 season]]. While Rice and Johnson provided high-powered scoring, Geiger tied with Johnson for the team lead in rebounds, and All-Star guard [[Kenny Anderson (basketball)|Kenny Anderson]] ran the point for the injured [[Muggsy Bogues]]. The Hornets were competitive but failed to qualify for the playoffs, again finishing with a 41–41 record. [[Allan Bristow]] resigned at the end of the season, and was replaced by [[Dave Cowens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/its-all-over-for-bristow/article_11879dbe-79b1-5605-a9d3-e717b0bbcead.html|title=It's All Over For Bristow|last=Hardin|first=Ed|date=April 21, 1996|website=[[Greensboro News & Record]]|access-date=January 24, 2015|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205161911/https://greensboro.com/its-all-over-for-bristow/article_11879dbe-79b1-5605-a9d3-e717b0bbcead.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Charlotte-Hornets new logo.png|thumbnail|The Charlotte Hornets logo that will be used during the 2014-15 season.<ref>[http://nba.si.com/2013/12/21/charlotte-hornets-logo-charlotte-bobcats-unveil/ Bobcats unveil new ‘Charlotte Hornets’ logo for 2014-15 season]</ref>]]
Despite having the best odds of winning the draft lottery, the Bobcats did not obtain the first overall pick. In the [[2012 NBA draft]], the Bobcats selected [[Michael Kidd-Gilchrist]] with the second overall pick. They also selected [[Jeffery Taylor]] with the thirty-first pick. They added [[Ben Gordon]], [[Ramon Sessions]] and [[Brendan Haywood]]. The Bobcats' first game was against the [[Indiana Pacers]], and they won the game 90–89 in a heated last minute battle, snapping their 23-game losing streak. On November 13, 2012, the Bobcats traded guard [[Matt Carroll (basketball)|Matt Carroll]] to the [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets]] for power forward [[Hakim Warrick]]. The team seemed to rebound with a 7–5 start to the season in which 6 of the 7 wins were by 4 points or less. However, they promptly went on an 18-game losing streak from which they never recovered, snapping the streak in a victory at Chicago on New Year's Eve. They finished 21–61, the second-worst record in the league. On April 23, 2013, Dunlap was fired, reportedly because the players were turned off by his heavy-handed coaching style. Dunlap would be replaced by former [[Los Angeles Lakers]] assistant head coach [[Steve Clifford]].


The 1996 off-season was again marked by vast changes: Anderson declined to re-sign, Johnson was shipped to the Knicks for power forward [[Anthony Mason (basketball)|Anthony Mason]], and the team made a trade on [[1996 NBA draft|draft day 1996]], acquiring center [[Vlade Divac]] from the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in exchange for the rights to rookie and future Hall of Famer [[Kobe Bryant]], whom the Hornets picked 13th overall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kobe-bryant-and-the-draft-day-trade-that-changed-nba-history/|title=Kobe Bryant and the draft day trade that changed NBA history|last=Harper|first=Zach|date=April 4, 2016|work=CBS Sports|access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-date=June 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606201733/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kobe-bryant-and-the-draft-day-trade-that-changed-nba-history|url-status=live}}</ref> The new-look Hornets were successful, with Divac and Geiger providing the center combination, Mason averaging a double-double, Bogues back at the point, and Rice having the finest season of his career. The team achieved the best season in its history at the time, finishing 54–28, and making it [[1997 NBA playoffs|back to the playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1997.html|title=Charlotte Hornets 1996–1997 Season Summary|website=basketball-reference.com|access-date=March 20, 2008|archive-date=March 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312080423/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1997.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the success during the regular season, the Hornets went down rather meekly to the Knicks in three games.
On May 21, 2013, Jordan officially announced the organization had submitted an application to change the name of the franchise to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014–15 NBA season, pending a majority vote for approval by the NBA Board of Governors at a meeting in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]] on July 18, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/bobcats-sports-entertainment-applies-change-teams-name-hornets|title=Bobcats Sports & Entertainment Applies to Change Team's Name to Hornets|date=May 21, 2013|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|accessdate=May 21, 2013}}</ref> Then NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO [[Adam Silver]]; 2014 - current NBA Commissioner. Previously said it would take about 18 months for the team to change its name, but pointed out the fact that the league owns the rights to the Hornets name could speed up the process. The New Orleans Hornets had recently changed their name to the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] for the [[2013–14 NBA season]].<ref name="jordan_hornets" /> On July 18, 2013, the NBA announced that it had unanimously approved the decision for the Charlotte Bobcats to take on the Hornets name. The change will take place after the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/18/board-of-governors-name-change.ap/index.html|title=NBA approves Charlotte's name change|date=July 18, 2013|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|accessdate=July 18, 2013}}</ref>


The [[1997–98 NBA season|1997–98 season]] was also successful. [[Muggsy Bogues]] was traded two games into the season, and the team picked up point guard [[David Wesley]] and shooting guard [[Bobby Phills]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/08/sports/pro-basketball-bogues-is-traded.html|title=Pro Basketball; Bogues is Traded|date=November 8, 1997|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615014159/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/08/sports/pro-basketball-bogues-is-traded.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With Wesley, Phills, Rice, Mason, and Divac, the Hornets romped through the regular season, finishing with a 51–31 record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1998.html|title=Charlotte Hornets 1997–1998 Summary|publisher=Pro-Basketball Reference.Com|access-date=March 5, 2008|archive-date=February 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216060831/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHH/1998.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hornets made it to back-to-back playoffs for the first time in franchise history, advancing to the second round, only to be stopped by the Bulls.
During the [[2013 NBA draft]], the Bobcats selected power forward/center [[Cody Zeller]] with the 4th overall pick. The Bobcats would also get former Utah Jazz player [[Al Jefferson]] during the free agency period.


===1998–2002: Final years of original personnel===
On November 22, in a widely-expected move, the Bobcats announced they will adopt a modified version of the original Hornets' teal-purple-white palette when they become the Hornets, with black, gray and light blue as accents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/11/23/4492883/charlotte-hornets-will-bring-back.html|title=Charlotte Hornets will bring back purple-and-teal colors|last=Bonnell|first=Rick|publisher=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=2013-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/purple-and-teal-re-join-hornets-name-charlotte|title=Purple and Teal Color Palette to Re-Join Hornets Name in Charlotte|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|date=2013-11-24}}</ref> The team officially unveiled its future logo and identity scheme during halftime of their December 21 game against the [[Utah Jazz]], in a ceremony featuring former Hornets players [[Dell Curry]] (now the Bobcats' television color commentator), [[Muggsy Bogues]], [[Rex Chapman]] and [[Kelly Tripucka]].<ref name=charlotte_unveiled>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/charlotte-hornets-brand-identity-unveiled|title=Charlotte Hornets Brand Identity Unveiled|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|date=2013-12-21}}</ref> The team has started a new campaign to hype up the Hornets' return which is entitled "Buzz City".<ref>http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9491180/nba-approves-name-change-charlotte-bobcats</ref>
[[File:CharlotteColiseum2000.jpg|thumb|321x321px|Players warming up prior to an April 2000 game between the Hornets and the [[Indiana Pacers]] at the Charlotte Coliseum]]
The [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99 season]] was shortened. The season did not start until February, as the lockout shortened the regular season to only 50 games. Additionally, [[Glen Rice]] was traded to the Lakers for [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]] and [[Elden Campbell]], and [[Dave Cowens]] resigned midway through the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/145471/|title=Lakers Acquire Rice from Hornets in Blockbuster Deal|date=March 9, 1999|website=WRAL.com|access-date=June 8, 2022|archive-date=June 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608201329/https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/145471/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by former Celtics teammate [[Paul Silas]], who became the team's fifth head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/silas-signs-hornets-dotted-line-the-charlotte-hornets-rewarded-paul-silas-turnaround-of-the-team/article_e34182cb-f466-5010-9e22-9f11e912a35d.html|title=Silas Signs Hornets' Dotted Line/ The Charlotte Hornets Rewarded Paul Silas Turnaround Of The Team with a contract to coach the team for Four Years|last=Nowell|first=Paul|date=May 11, 1999|website=[[Greensboro News & Record]]|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129180401/https://greensboro.com/silas-signs-hornets-dotted-line-the-charlotte-hornets-rewarded-paul-silas-turnaround-of-the-team/article_e34182cb-f466-5010-9e22-9f11e912a35d.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The team finished with a 26–24 record, but failed to qualify for the playoffs.


The next three seasons ([[1999–2000 NBA season|1999–2000]], [[2000–01 NBA season|2000–01]] and [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02]]) saw the Hornets in the playoffs each year, reaching the conference semifinals twice. Before the Hornets were eliminated from the 2002 playoffs, the NBA approved a deal for the team to move to New Orleans following the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03]] season. The move came mainly because attendance tailed off dramatically, reportedly due to Shinn's declining popularity in the city.<ref>{{cite news|title=Move To New Orleans Approved|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/New_Orleans_Approved.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=May 10, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020805150133/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/New_Orleans_Approved.html|archive-date=August 5, 2002|access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19900329&id=7fweAAAAIBAJ&pg=6688,3395525|title=The Dispatch - Google News Archive Search|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125092013/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19900329&id=7fweAAAAIBAJ&pg=6688%2C3395525|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/charhorn/charhornets.html |title=Charlotte Hornets (1988–2002) |publisher=SportsECyclopedia.com |date=February 28, 2015 |access-date=February 28, 2015 |archive-date=November 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102215321/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/charhorn/charhornets.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On January 16, 2014, the Bobcats revealed new Charlotte Hornets logo shirts, hats and gear.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nba.si.com/2014/01/16/charlotte-hornets-logo-shirts-bobcats/|title=Bobcats unveil new ‘Charlotte Hornets’ logo shirts, hats and gear|work=SI.com|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=2014-01-16}}</ref>


===2004–2014: Charlotte Bobcats===
On February 20, 2014, the Bucks traded [[Gary Neal]] and [[Luke Ridnour]] to the Bobcats for [[Ramon Sessions]] and [[Jeff Adrien]].
Shortly after the relocation of the team to New Orleans, as part of the deal with the city of Charlotte, as well as to avoid a [[Cleveland Browns relocation controversy|Cleveland Browns–like lawsuit]], the NBA opened itself to the possibility of adding a replacement team in Charlotte for the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]], provided that an arena deal could be reached.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belkin's potential ownership group includes Bird, Carr |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nba/news/2002/0619/1396833.html |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=June 19, 2002 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |archive-date=May 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531104943/http://a.espncdn.com/nba/news/2002/0619/1396833.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Several ownership groups, including one led by former [[Boston Celtics]] star [[Larry Bird]], made bids for the franchise.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bird, Carr thinking pro hoops in Charlotte? |agency=Associated Press |work=USA Today |date=May 23, 2002 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/stories/2002-05-20-bird-carr-charlotte.htm |archive-date=February 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212014033/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/stories/2002-05-20-bird-carr-charlotte.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 18, 2002, a group led by [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]] founder [[Robert L. Johnson]] was awarded the franchise,<ref>{{cite news |title=Winning NBA bid just the start for Johnson |first=Michael |last=Hiestand |work=USA Today |date=December 19, 2002 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2002-12-18-cover-johnson_x.htm |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604015212/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2002-12-18-cover-johnson_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> allowing him to become the first [[African American]] majority owner in [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|U.S. major professional sports]] since the [[Negro league baseball|Negro leagues]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Johnson will be NBA's first black majority owner |work=ESPN |date=December 17, 2002 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/1217/1478643.html |archive-date=July 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712072638/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/1217/1478643.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The franchise with Johnson as its owner was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on January 10, 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=NBA Board of Governors Approves Charlotte Expansion, Johnson as Owner|url=http://www.nba.com/news/charlotte_030110.html|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=January 10, 2003|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=October 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030075908/http://www.nba.com/news/charlotte_030110.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hip-hop artist [[Nelly]] became a notable co-owner.<ref>{{cite news|title=Robert L. Johnson Adds Nelly To Bobcats Ownership Team|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/nelly_release_040719.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=July 19, 2004|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=November 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121004711/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/nelly_release_040719.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The owners paid a $300 million expansion fee to enter the league.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Windhorst |first1=Brian |title=Adam Silver: Seattle's hopes on hold |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/adam-silver-seattles-hopes-hold/story?id=22480899 |website=ABC News |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=February 12, 2014 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729095908/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/adam-silver-seattles-hopes-hold/story?id=22480899 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Bobcats clinched a playoff berth for the second time in franchise history on April 5, 2014, when they won a game on the road against the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]. On April 10, 2014, the Bobcats signed forward [[DJ White]] for the remainder of the season. The Bobcats finished the 2013–14 regular season 43-39, the second highest number of wins in a single season in franchise history. The Bobcats were swept by the defending champion [[Miami Heat]] in the first round of the [[2014 NBA Playoffs]]. The fourth game was also the last game as the Charlotte Bobcats. When the [[2014-15 NBA season]] begins, the team will become the second incarnation of the Charlotte Hornets.

In June 2003, the team name was officially announced as the Bobcats.<ref name="Expansion">{{cite news|title=NBA Expansion Franchise To Be Named Charlotte Bobcats|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlottebobcats_061103.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=June 11, 2003|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=October 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026172000/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlottebobcats_061103.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission aided the naming process with a "Help Name The Team" effort that drew over 1,250 suggestions, with 'Flight' being the winner. However, it was discarded by Johnson and the team involved in creating the team's identity, being considered abstract and reminiscent of the then-current [[Iraq War]] aerial strikes.<ref name=identity>{{cite news|title=The making of a name (and logo)|author=Rovell, Darren|work=ESPN|date=May 25, 2004|access-date=June 30, 2009|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/sportsbusiness/news/story?id=1755847|archive-date=October 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011162056/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/sportsbusiness/news/story?id=1755847|url-status=live}}</ref> Given Charlotte was already home to a cat-named team, the [[Carolina Panthers]] of the [[National Football League]], designer Chris Weiller made sure to create a logo that would not be similar to the Panthers logo.<ref name=identity/> It has also been speculated that Johnson chose the name "Bobcats" in reference to his own name.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Pincus |first=David |title=A Fond Farewell to the Charlotte Bobcats, Who Will Soon No Longer Be the Bobcats |url=http://extramustard.si.com/2014/04/29/farewell-charlotte-hornets-bobcats-name-change-retrospective-michael-jordan |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=June 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222133/http://extramustard.si.com/2014/04/29/farewell-charlotte-hornets-bobcats-name-change-retrospective-michael-jordan/ |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Zegers|first=Charlie|title=Charlotte Bobcats: Profile|url=http://basketball.about.com/od/charlottebobcats/a/bobcats.htm|work=About.com Guide|publisher=New York Times Company|access-date=June 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212072945/http://basketball.about.com/od/charlottebobcats/a/bobcats.htm|archive-date=February 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Bobcats hired [[Bernie Bickerstaff]] as the first head coach and [[general manager]] in franchise history.<ref name="autogenerated2007">{{cite news |title=Jordan: Bickerstaff won't return as coach |work=ESPN |date=March 14, 2007 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2797095 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525031638/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2797095 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Spectrum Center (arena)|A new arena]] to host the Bobcats in [[Charlotte center city|uptown Charlotte]] began construction in July 2003. The team would play its home games at the Coliseum until the new building was ready.

====2004–2010: Return to Charlotte====
[[File:BobcatArena.jpg|thumb|326x326px|The Bobcats versus the [[Dallas Mavericks]] on November 11, 2005.]]
The Bobcats held their [[2004 NBA Expansion Draft|expansion draft]] on June 22, 2004, picking up youngsters such as [[Gerald Wallace]], [[Primož Brezec]], and [[Jason Kapono]]. Shortly after, they traded with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] to acquire the second pick in the [[2004 NBA draft]], which they used to select [[center (basketball)|center]] [[Emeka Okafor]] from [[Connecticut Huskies men's basketball|Connecticut]]. The Bobcats' inaugural game, and the first of their [[2004–05 Charlotte Bobcats season|2004–05 season]] took place on November 4 at the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], and was a 103–96 loss to the [[Washington Wizards]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Magical night: Bobcats fall to Wizards in debut |work=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241104030 |date=November 4, 2004 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006200430/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241104030 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two days later, they won their first game in franchise history over the [[Orlando Magic]], 111–100.<ref>{{cite news |title=2 for 1: First win for Okafor, Bobcats vs. Magic |work=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241106030 |date=November 6, 2004 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006200436/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241106030 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On December 14, the Bobcats beat the [[New Orleans Hornets]] in overtime in the team's first trip to Charlotte since relocating.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cats protect their house in Charlotte in OT |work=ESPN |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241214030 |date=December 14, 2004 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006200441/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=241214030 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Bobcats finished their inaugural season 18–64.<ref>{{cite web |title=2004-05 Charlotte Bobcats Schedule and Results |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2005_games.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=November 29, 2019 |archive-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227131722/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2005_games.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Emeka Okafor, however, won the 2004–05 [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Emeka Okafor Named 2004–05 NBA got milk? Rookie Of The Year|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/okafor_roy_050504.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=May 4, 2005|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522232516/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/okafor_roy_050504.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2005 NBA draft]], the Bobcats drafted [[Raymond Felton]] and [[Sean May]] from [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/sports/2005/06/29/bobcats-take-pair-of-heels-in-draft/30786864007/|title=Bobcats take pair of Heels in draft|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=June 29, 2005|website=Star News Online|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129175034/https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/sports/2005/06/29/bobcats-take-pair-of-heels-in-draft/30786864007/|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2005–06 Charlotte Bobcats season|their second season]], the Bobcats opened [[Spectrum Center (arena)|Charlotte Bobcats Arena]] with an overtime victory over the Celtics. Despite struggling for most of the year, they managed to close out the season with four straight wins to finish with a record of 26–56, an eight-game improvement from the previous season. After the season, the Bobcats announced that NBA legend and North Carolina native [[Michael Jordan]] had bought a minority stake in the team. As part of the deal, he became head of basketball operations, though Bickerstaff remained general manager.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Jordan to Become Part Owner of the Charlotte Bobcats|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_jordan_060615.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=June 15, 2006|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=June 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618220655/http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_jordan_060615.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bobcats showed some improvement during the [[2006–07 Charlotte Bobcats season|2006–07 season]], posting a playoff-hopeful record of 22–33 late in February 2007. However, the team went through an eight-game losing streak and dropped their record to 22–41 by early March 2007. Following the slump, Jordan announced that Bickerstaff would not return to coach the following season, but would finish coaching the remainder of the 2006–07 season.<ref name="autogenerated2007"/> The Bobcats won 11 of their last 19 games of Bickerstaff's tenure to finish their third season 33–49. On June 3, 2007, [[Charlotte Coliseum]] was demolished, marking a bitter end to the original Hornets era as it was the home of Charlotte's original NBA franchise. The arena was only 19 years old, owned by the city of Charlotte, but was already considered outdated because of a lack of luxury boxes and suites. The arena was designed for college basketball as part of Charlotte's push to maintain their presence in the [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]] basketball tournament rotation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Charlotte Coliseum scheduled for demolition|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2889956|date=June 1, 2007|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818041349/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2889956|url-status=live}}</ref>

Front office and coaching were key focuses for the Bobcats during the 2007 off-season. [[Rod Higgins]] was hired as [[General manager (sports)|general manager]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Rod Higgins Named Bobcats General Manager|url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/higgins_gm_070531.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=May 31, 2007|access-date=June 30, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307043753/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/higgins_gm_070531.html|archive-date=March 7, 2009 }}</ref> and [[Sam Vincent (basketball)|Sam Vincent]] was hired as the second head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bobcats New Era Begins With Vincent |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=May 25, 2007 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/vincent_coach_070525.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307043350/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/vincent_coach_070525.html |archive-date=March 7, 2009 }}</ref> In the [[2007 NBA draft]], [[Brandan Wright]] was selected by the Bobcats with the eighth pick; he was subsequently traded to Golden State for [[Jason Richardson]]. The Bobcats were unable to capitalize on off-season moves, finishing the [[2007–08 Charlotte Bobcats season|2007–08 season]] with a 32–50 record. The team struggled amid rumors of players clashing with the coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobcats fire Sam Vincent as coach after one season |agency=Associated Press |work=USA Today |date=April 26, 2008 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/bobcats/2008-04-26-vincent-fired_N.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007094935/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/bobcats/2008-04-26-vincent-fired_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> After a year, during which he struggled with personnel decisions, [[Sam Vincent (basketball)|Sam Vincent]] was fired in April 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sam Vincent Relieved of Head Coaching Duties|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_vincent_relieved_080426.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=April 26, 2008|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=July 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715010237/http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_vincent_relieved_080426.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Michael Jordan.jpg|thumb|272x272px|[[Michael Jordan]] acquired the Bobcats in 2010.]]
On April 29, 2008, the Bobcats reached an agreement to hire [[Basketball Hall of Fame]]r [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] as the third head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bobcats Name Larry Brown Head Coach|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_brown_named_coach_080429.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=April 29, 2008|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=October 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027084353/http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_brown_named_coach_080429.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2008 NBA draft]], the Bobcats selected [[D. J. Augustin]] from [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas]] ninth overall. On December 10, 2008, a little over a month into the season, the Bobcats obtained [[Boris Diaw]] and [[Raja Bell]] in a trade with Phoenix. The trade turned out to be successful as the team came close to reaching the franchise's first playoff berth, but finished four games out of eighth place with a record of 35–47. Following the season, majority owner [[Robert L. Johnson|Bob Johnson]] announced he was putting the team up for sale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/182687-bob-johnson-looks-to-sell|title=Bob Johnson Looks To Sell the Charlotte Bobcats|last=Mercer|first=Matt|date=May 24, 2009|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129175705/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/182687-bob-johnson-looks-to-sell|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the off-season, the team picked [[Gerald Henderson Jr.|Gerald Henderson]] from [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] 12th overall in the [[2009 NBA draft]]. The Bobcats traded [[Emeka Okafor]] for New Orleans Hornets' center [[Tyson Chandler]], and through more trades acquired [[Stephen Jackson]] and [[Acie Law]] from the [[Golden State Warriors]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/release_warriors_trade_091116.html|title=Bobcats acquire Stephen Jackson and Acie Law from Warriors|date=November 16, 2009|website=Bobcats.com|access-date=June 7, 2010|archive-date=October 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030090630/http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_warriors_trade_091116.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 27, 2010, it was announced that Johnson had decided to sell the team to Jordan, allowing Jordan to become the first former NBA player to become majority owner of a franchise.<ref name="JordanBuy">{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/27/michael.jordan.bobcats/index.html | work=CNN | title=Michael Jordan reaches deal to buy NBA's Bobcats | date=February 27, 2010 | access-date=April 26, 2010 | archive-date=September 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915050312/http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/27/michael.jordan.bobcats/index.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 9, 2010, the Bobcats clinched their first [[2010 NBA playoffs|playoff berth]] since 2002 with a 104–103 road win over the New Orleans Hornets,<ref name="NineDefining">{{cite news | url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2014-04-28/defining-moments-in-charlotte-bobcats-history-michael-jordan-hornets-kemba-walker | work=Sporting News | title=Nine defining moments in Charlotte Bobcats history | date=April 28, 2014 | access-date=February 13, 2015 | archive-date=December 25, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225081918/http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2014-04-28/defining-moments-in-charlotte-bobcats-history-michael-jordan-hornets-kemba-walker | url-status=dead }}</ref> finishing the [[2009–10 Charlotte Bobcats season|2009–10 season]] with an overall record of 44–38, their first-ever winning season. Gerald Wallace was a huge factor in the playoff run as he became the Bobcats' first and only [[NBA All-Star]]. However, the Bobcats were swept by the [[Orlando Magic]] in four games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=300426030|title=Magic overcome Howard's foul problems to book ticket for 2nd round with sweep|work=ESPN.com|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=August 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803163939/http://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=300426030|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====2010–2014: Final years of the Bobcats====
Despite the departures of [[Raymond Felton]] and [[Tyson Chandler]], the Bobcats hoped to make the playoffs for a [[2010–11 Charlotte Bobcats season|second straight season]]. Following a dismal 9–19 start, Jordan announced that [[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]] had stepped down as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5947959|title=Coach Larry Brown, Bobcats part ways|date=December 22, 2010|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=April 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408103514/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5947959|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Paul Silas]] was hired as their new head coach the same day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/release_silas_101222.html|title=Paul Silas Named Interim Head Coach|date=December 22, 2010|website=Bobcats.com|access-date=January 9, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110002305/https://www.nba.com/hornets/release_silas_101222.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bobcats sent Wallace to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] and received two first-round draft picks, [[Joel Przybilla]], [[Sean Marks]], and [[Dante Cunningham]], also acquiring [[D. J. White]] and [[Morris Peterson]] in a trade with the Thunder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=6155334|title=Gerald Wallace traded to Blazers|date=February 24, 2011|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=February 24, 2011|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616064336/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=6155334|url-status=live}}</ref> Going down the stretch, injuries to both [[Stephen Jackson]] and [[Tyrus Thomas]] derailed any chances of Charlotte trying to catch the [[Indiana Pacers]] for the eighth spot in the east. In the end, the Bobcats finished the season with a 34–48 record overall, finishing 25–29 under Silas.

[[File:Kemba Walker - Bobcats vs Nets (cropped).jpg|thumb|309x309px|The Bobcats selected [[Kemba Walker]] as the 9th overall pick in the [[2011 NBA draft]].]]
On June 13, 2011, the Bobcats made some changes to their front office by hiring former Trail Blazers general manager [[Rich Cho]] to the same position and promoting Rod Higgins to President of Basketball Operations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=6659387|title=Bobcats hire ex-Blazers GM Rich Cho|work=ESPN.com|date=June 14, 2011|access-date=June 14, 2011|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818041735/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=6659387|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[2011 NBA draft]] the Bobcats sent Jackson, [[Shaun Livingston]], and the 19th pick to Milwaukee and received [[Corey Maggette]] and the 7th pick in return. The Bobcats used that pick to draft [[Bismack Biyombo]] and with their 9th pick drafted [[Connecticut Huskies men's basketball|Connecticut's]] [[Kemba Walker]], the [[NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2011-06-23-hc-kemba-walker-nba-draft-0624-20110623-story.html|title=UConn's Kemba Walker Selected No.9 In NBA Draft by Charlotte Bobcats|last=Anthony|first=Mike|date=June 23, 2011|publisher=Hartford Courant|access-date=July 3, 2012|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112165501/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2011-06-23-hc-kemba-walker-nba-draft-0624-20110623-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Charlotte lost often, including their last 23 games. During their season finale against the [[New York Knicks]], the Bobcats recorded yet another loss as their win percentage dropped to .106, setting a new record for the worst season ever by an NBA team (as this season was shortened by the lockout, the 1972–73 [[Philadelphia 76ers]] still hold the record for most losses in a season with 73). Overall, the team's record was 7–59. On April 30, 2012, the Bobcats announced that Silas would not return as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/charlotte-bobcats-part-ways-with-head-coach-paul-silas/|title=Charlotte Bobcats to part ways with head coach Paul Silas|last=Golliver|first=Ben|date=April 30, 2012|website=[[CBS Sports]]|access-date=April 30, 2012|archive-date=June 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621143859/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/charlotte-bobcats-part-ways-with-head-coach-paul-silas/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[St. John's Red Storm|St. John's]] assistant [[Mike Dunlap]] was named as his successor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/st-johns-charlotte-bobcats-hire-mike-dunlap-as-new-head-coach/2012/06/19/gJQAU4RrnV_blog.html|title=St. John's: Charlotte Bobcats hire Mike Dunlap as new head coach|last=Brooks|first=Matt|date=June 19, 2012|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114101644/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/st-johns-charlotte-bobcats-hire-mike-dunlap-as-new-head-coach/2012/06/19/gJQAU4RrnV_blog.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite finishing the season with the worst record in NBA history, the Bobcats received the second overall pick.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2012/story/_/id/7989513/2012-nba-draft-new-orleans-hornets-win-draft-lottery-secure-no-1-overall-pick|title=Hornets win lottery, land No. 1 overall pick|work=ESPN.com|access-date=August 9, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034217/http://www.espn.com/nba/draft2012/story/_/id/7989513/2012-nba-draft-new-orleans-hornets-win-draft-lottery-secure-no-1-overall-pick|url-status=live}}</ref> With the second pick in the [[2012 NBA draft]], the Bobcats selected [[Michael Kidd-Gilchrist]] and selected [[Jeffery Taylor]] with the 31st pick.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bobcats Select Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the Second Overall Pick in 2012 NBA Draft|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/bobcats-select-michael-kidd-gilchrist-second-overall-pick-2012-nba-draft|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=June 29, 2012|access-date=July 1, 2012|archive-date=July 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731030725/http://www.nba.com/hornets/bobcats-select-michael-kidd-gilchrist-second-overall-pick-2012-nba-draft|url-status=live}}</ref> They also added [[Ben Gordon]], [[Ramon Sessions]] and [[Brendan Haywood]] in free agency. The Bobcats won their first game against the Pacers, snapping their 23-game losing streak. The team seemed to rebound with a 7–5 start to the season. However, they promptly went on an 18-game losing streak from which they never recovered, snapping the streak with a win at Chicago. Charlotte finished 21–61, the second-worst record in the league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2013.html|title=Charlotte Bobcats 2012–2013 Season Summary|website=basketball-reference.com|access-date=December 7, 2013|archive-date=October 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026055602/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2013.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Dunlap was fired on April 23, reportedly because the players were turned off by his heavy-handed coaching style. He would be replaced by former [[Los Angeles Lakers]] assistant head coach [[Steve Clifford]].

During the [[2013 NBA draft]], the Bobcats selected power forward/center [[Cody Zeller]] 4th overall.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bobcats select Cody Zeller With Fourth Pick in 2013 NBA Draft|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/bobcats-select-cody-zeller-fourth-pick-2013-nba-draft|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=June 27, 2013|access-date=February 25, 2014|archive-date=July 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730065256/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/bobcats-select-cody-zeller-fourth-pick-2013-nba-draft|url-status=live}}</ref> The Bobcats would also obtain former [[Utah Jazz]] center [[Al Jefferson]] in free agency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/9467516/charlotte-bobcats-announce-signing-al-jefferson|title=Al Jefferson officially joins Bobcats|date=July 10, 2013|website=ESPN.com|access-date=July 11, 2013|archive-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228173325/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/9467516/charlotte-bobcats-announce-signing-al-jefferson|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2014, the team received [[Gary Neal]] and [[Luke Ridnour]] in a trade with the Bucks. The new players and coaching staff worked as the Bobcats clinched a [[2014 NBA playoffs|playoff berth]] for the second time in franchise history by beating Cleveland on the road. Charlotte finished the regular season 43–39.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2014.html|title=Charlotte Bobcats 2013–2014 Season Summary|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=April 10, 2014|archive-date=July 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720052459/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/2014.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Bobcats were swept in four games by defending champion Miami in the first round.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2014/04/28/james-heat-complete-sweep-of-bobcats-109-98/8441451/|title=LeBron, Heat cruise by Bobcats to complete sweep|last=Kelly|first=Joshua|date=April 28, 2014|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|access-date=April 29, 2014|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502072630/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2014/04/28/james-heat-complete-sweep-of-bobcats-109-98/8441451/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2014–2020: Rise of Kemba Walker===

====Return of the Hornets====
On May 21, 2013, Jordan officially announced the organization had submitted an application to change the name of the franchise to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014–15 NBA season, pending a majority vote for approval by the NBA Board of Governors at a meeting in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] on July 18, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Phaler|first=Sean|title=Bobcats Sports & Entertainment Applies to Change Team's Name to Hornets|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/bobcats-sports-entertainment-applies-change-teams-name-hornets|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=May 21, 2013|access-date=May 21, 2013|archive-date=June 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606232003/http://www.nba.com/hornets/bobcats-sports-entertainment-applies-change-teams-name-hornets|url-status=live}}</ref> The NBA announced, on July 18, 2013, that it had unanimously approved the rebranding, which would begin upon the conclusion of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite press release|last=Phaler|first=Sean|title=The Buzz is Back: NBA Approves Bobcats Name Change to Hornets|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/buzz-back-nba-approves-bobcats-name-change-hornets/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118173910/https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/buzz-back-nba-approves-bobcats-name-change-hornets/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bobcats announced on November 22, they would adopt a modified version of the original Hornets' teal-purple-white color palette, with black, gray and Carolina blue as accents.<ref>{{cite news|last=Phaler|first=Sean|title=Purple and Teal Color Palette to Re-Join Hornets Name in Charlotte|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/purple-and-teal-color-palette-re-join-hornets-name-charlotte|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=November 24, 2013|access-date=January 17, 2018|archive-date=January 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122234346/https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/purple-and-teal-color-palette-re-join-hornets-name-charlotte|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bonnell|first=Rick|title=Charlotte Hornets will bring back purple-and-teal colors|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/11/23/4492883/charlotte-hornets-will-bring-back.html|newspaper=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=November 23, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018184014/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/11/23/4492883/charlotte-hornets-will-bring-back.html|archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> The team officially unveiled its future logo and identity scheme during halftime of their December 21 game against the Jazz.<ref name=charlotte_unveiled>{{cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets Brand Identity Unveiled|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-brand-identity-unveiled|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=December 21, 2013|access-date=May 15, 2016|archive-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218051808/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-brand-identity-unveiled|url-status=live}}</ref> The team also started the "Buzz City" campaign to hype up the Hornets return.<ref>{{cite web |last=Windhorst |first=Brian |title=Charlotte Hornets back in 2014-15 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/9491180/nba-approves-name-change-charlotte-bobcats |work=ESPN.com |date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |archive-date=March 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306074756/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9491180/nba-approves-name-change-charlotte-bobcats |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 16, 2014, the Bobcats revealed new Hornets shirts, hats and gear.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Golliver |first=Ben |title=Bobcats unveil new 'Charlotte Hornets' logo shirts, hats and gear |url=http://nba.si.com/2014/01/16/charlotte-hornets-logo-shirts-bobcats/ |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=January 16, 2014 |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522202855/http://nba.si.com/2014/01/16/charlotte-hornets-logo-shirts-bobcats/ |archive-date=May 22, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On May 20, 2014, the Bobcats officially became the second incarnation of the Charlotte Hornets. At a press conference regarding the change, team officials also announced that as part of a deal with the NBA and the renamed [[New Orleans Pelicans]], Charlotte acquired the history and records of the 1988–2002 Hornets (in a move similar to that of the [[National Football League]]'s [[Cleveland Browns]] return to the league in [[1999 NFL season|1999]]), while all of the Hornets' records during their time in New Orleans from 2002 to 2013 remained with the Pelicans.<ref name=hornets_name_returns/><ref name="Bobcats officially become Hornets">{{cite web|title=Bobcats officially become Hornets in Charlotte|url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/20/charlotte-hornets-back.ap/|agency=Associated Press|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=May 20, 2014|access-date=December 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522232610/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/20/charlotte-hornets-back.ap/|archive-date=May 22, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hornets all the buzz in Charlotte|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10958580/charlotte-bobcats-officially-change-nickname-hornets|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN|date=May 20, 2014|access-date=January 25, 2015|archive-date=March 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327052227/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10958580/charlotte-bobcats-officially-change-nickname-hornets|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hornets are now [[retroactive continuity|retconned]] as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, while the Pelicans are considered a 2002 expansion team. Charlotte had already been using past footage of the original Hornets as part of the "Buzz City" campaign.

====2014–2019: Playoffs and struggles====
In the [[2014 NBA draft]], the Hornets had the 9th overall pick from an earlier trade with the [[Detroit Pistons]], which they used to select [[Noah Vonleh]] from [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets Select Noah Vonleh|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-select-noah-vonleh|publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014|archive-date=June 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630062159/http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-select-noah-vonleh|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same draft they acquired [[UConn Huskies men's basketball|UConn Husky]] [[Shabazz Napier]], [[Dwight Powell]] from [[Stanford Cardinal men's basketball|Stanford]], and [[Semaj Christon]] from [[Xavier Musketeers men's basketball|Xavier]] in the second round. They later traded Napier to the Heat for [[P. J. Hairston]] (formerly from [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|UNC]]), the rights to the 55th pick, Miami's 2019 second-round pick and cash considerations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article9135899.html|title=NBA draft: UNC's PJ Hairston lands in Charlotte with Hornets|last=Jones|first=Jonathan|date=June 26, 2014|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref> The team also picked up [[Scotty Hopson]] (whom they would trade to New Orleans) and cash considerations in free agency.

During their first year of free agency as the Hornets, the team signed former Pacers shooting guard [[Lance Stephenson]]. The Hornets also signed former Jazz and [[Atlanta Hawks]] forward [[Marvin Williams]] to a two-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahsay |first=Jordan |date=October 24, 2008 |title=Hornets Sign Marvin Williams |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-sign-marvin-williams |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030005217/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-sign-marvin-williams |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=November 22, 2020 |website=Hornets.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC}}</ref> A mostly difficult year led to a 33–49 record overall and a 4th-place finish in the division.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2014-15 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2015.html|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=May 7, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923220905/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2015.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Stephenson was traded to the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] for [[Spencer Hawes]] and [[Matt Barnes]] who was later traded to the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] for [[Courtney Lee]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article24553354.html|title=Hornets finally rid themselves of Lance Stephenson|last=Fowler|first=Scott|date=August 7, 2016|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120025951/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article24553354.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2015–16 Charlotte Hornets season|following year]], the team improved to 48–34 overall, following the acquisition of players such as [[Nicolas Batum]], [[Jeremy Lamb]], and [[Jeremy Lin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-sign-free-agent-guard-jeremy-lin|title=Hornets Sign Free Agent Guard Jeremy Lin|website=Hornets.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC|access-date=July 9, 2015|archive-date=July 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711214340/http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-sign-free-agent-guard-jeremy-lin|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the best season in franchise history since the original Hornets era. Charlotte returned to the playoffs, where they lost to the Heat in seven games in the first round.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rochinski|first=Matt|title=Hornets Season Ends with Game 7 Loss in Miami|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-season-ends-game-7-loss-miami/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=May 1, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2018|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726135535/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-season-ends-game-7-loss-miami/|url-status=live}}</ref> Along the way, they defeated the Heat twice at Time Warner Cable Arena, the franchise's first playoff wins since the original Hornets era.

In the off-season, Jeremy Lin would go to sign with the [[Brooklyn Nets]], [[Al Jefferson]] to the [[Indiana Pacers]], and [[Courtney Lee]] to the [[New York Knicks]], but the Hornets were able to re-sign Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams, as well as bring in former All-star [[Roy Hibbert]], [[Marco Belinelli]] and [[Ramon Sessions]] for a second stint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slamonline.com/archives/hornets-reportedly-sign-roy-hibbert-one-year-5-million-deal/|title=Hornets to Reportedly Sign Roy Hibbert to One-Year, $5 Million Deal|last=Mutoni|first=Marcel|date=July 5, 2016|website=slamonline.com|access-date=June 8, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109050049/https://www.slamonline.com/archives/hornets-reportedly-sign-roy-hibbert-one-year-5-million-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-acquire-marco-belinelli-sacramento|title=Hornets Acquire Marco Bellinelli from Sacramento|last=Wash|first=Quinton|date=July 7, 2016|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=June 8, 2022|archive-date=June 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608200723/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-acquire-marco-belinelli-sacramento|url-status=live}}</ref> Hibbert would be traded mid-season to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] with [[Spencer Hawes]] for center [[Miles Plumlee]]. [[Kemba Walker]] was named an Eastern Conference All-star as a reserve, the first all-star game of his career. The Hornets would finish the season with a 36–46 record, missing out on the playoffs.
[[File:Malik Monk 2019.jpg|thumb|The Hornets selected [[Malik Monk]] as the 11th overall pick in the [[2017 NBA draft]].]]
The Hornets had a successful 2017 off-season. They shipped Plumlee and Belinelli and the 41st pick in the [[2017 NBA draft]] to the [[Atlanta Hawks]] for former All-star [[Dwight Howard]] and the 31st pick in the 2017 draft.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19692632/atlanta-hawks-trade-dwight-howard-charlotte-hornets|title=Dwight Howard heads to Hornets after one season with hometown Hawks|work=ESPN|date=June 20, 2017|access-date=June 20, 2017|archive-date=June 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623163834/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19692632/atlanta-hawks-trade-dwight-howard-charlotte-hornets|url-status=live}}</ref> The trade reunited Howard with head coach Steve Clifford, both of whom worked together during Howard's time in Orlando and Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Hornets Officially Welcome Dwight Howard|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-officially-welcome-dwight-howard|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=June 26, 2017|access-date=June 26, 2017|archive-date=June 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629231449/http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-officially-welcome-dwight-howard|url-status=live}}</ref> In the draft, Charlotte selected [[Malik Monk]] with the 11th overall pick, as well as [[Frank Jackson (basketball)|Frank Jackson]] with the 31st pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2017/06/23/2017-nba-draft-charlotte-hornets-pick-malik-monk-no-11/419189001/|title=Charlotte Hornets draft Malik Monk at No.11 in NBA Draft|last=Page|first=Fletcher|date=June 23, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=December 3, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221014320/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2017/06/23/2017-nba-draft-charlotte-hornets-pick-malik-monk-no-11/419189001/|url-status=live}}</ref> They then sent Jackson to New Orleans for cash considerations and swing-man [[Dwayne Bacon]] who was drafted 40th overall. Sessions signed with the [[New York Knicks]], and, to replace the backup guard, they brought in former rookie of the year [[Michael Carter-Williams]] from the [[Chicago Bulls]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/7/1/15909344/michael-carter-williams-hornets-nba-free-agency-2017|title=Michael Carter-Williams, Hornets agree to a 1-year, $2.7 million deal, per report|last=Cato|first=Tim|date=July 1, 2017|website=SBNation.com|access-date=January 28, 2023|archive-date=January 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128184219/https://www.sbnation.com/2017/7/1/15909344/michael-carter-williams-hornets-nba-free-agency-2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2017–18 season Kemba Walker was selected for his second NBA All-Star appearance and passed Dell Curry for most three-pointers and the all-time leading scorer. At the end of the 2017–18 season, the Hornets did not renew the contract of general manager Rich Cho. In April 2018, [[Mitch Kupchak]] was named as the new president of basketball operations and general manager.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Charlotte Hornets Name Mitch Kupchak President of Basketball Operations & General Manager|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/charlotte-hornets-name-mitch-kupchak-president-basketball-operations-general-manager|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|access-date=April 9, 2018|language=en|date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=April 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409173527/http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/charlotte-hornets-name-mitch-kupchak-president-basketball-operations-general-manager|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 13, 2018, the Hornets fired head coach Steve Clifford after five seasons, who coached the team to a 196–214 record total,<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets Relieve Clifford of Head Coaching Duties|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-relieve-clifford-head-coaching-duties|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|access-date=April 15, 2018|date=April 13, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041518/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-relieve-clifford-head-coaching-duties|url-status=live}}</ref> and named [[James Borrego]] as his replacement on May 10.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets Name James Borrego Head Coach|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-name-james-borrego-head-coach|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=May 10, 2018|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034651/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-name-james-borrego-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 23, 2018, [[Tony Parker]], who spent the previous 17 years of his career with the [[San Antonio Spurs]], signed with the Hornets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hornets Sign Free-Agent Guard Tony Parker |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-sign-free-agent-guard-tony-parker |website=NBA.com |access-date=August 31, 2018 |date=July 23, 2018 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128213940/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-sign-free-agent-guard-tony-parker |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2019 Kemba Walker was named an All-Star Game starter for the Eastern Conference, his first starting role in an All-Star Game, and matched only Glen Rice for his third All-Star Game appearance in his Hornets career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kemba Walker Named Starter for 2019 NBA All-Star Game |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/kemba-walker-named-starter-2019-nba-all-star-game |website=NBA.com |access-date=February 9, 2019 |date=January 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203144120/https://www.nba.com/hornets/kemba-walker-named-starter-2019-nba-all-star-game |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[2018–19 Charlotte Hornets season|2018–19 season]], Charlotte finished the season with a 39–43 record finishing 2nd in the division and 9th in the Eastern Conference.

On June 20, 2019, the Hornets selected [[P. J. Washington]] with the twelfth overall pick in the [[2019 NBA draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=27021486&src=desktop|title=Hornets draft Kentucky forward PJ Washington at No.12|work=ESPN|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=February 23, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818124757/https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=27021486&src=desktop|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 6, 2019, Kemba Walker joined the [[Boston Celtics]] through a sign-and-trade deal with the Hornets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-three-time-all-star-kemba-walker|title=Celtics Acquire Three-Time All-Star Kemba Walker|website=NBA.com|language=en|access-date=August 17, 2020|archive-date=July 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707014136/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-three-time-all-star-kemba-walker|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2020–present: The LaMelo Ball era===
[[File:LaMelo Ball (cropped).jpg|thumb|The Hornets selected [[LaMelo Ball]] as the 3rd overall pick in the [[2020 NBA draft]].]]
On November 18, 2020, the Hornets selected [[LaMelo Ball]] with the third overall pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-select-lamelo-ball-3rd-overall-pick-2020-nba-draft|title=Hornets Select LaMelo Ball, Vernon Carey Jr and Grant Riller in 2020 NBA Draft|website=Hornets.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC|access-date=November 18, 2020|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119024608/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-select-lamelo-ball-3rd-overall-pick-2020-nba-draft|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hornets also drafted [[Vernon Carey Jr.]] and [[Grant Riller]] in the second round of the [[2020 NBA draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article247278734.html|title=Hornets draft LaMelo Ball with No.3 pick, add 2 big men|last=Reed|first=Steve|date=November 19, 2020|publisher=[[Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=November 19, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On November 29, 2020, the Hornets would acquire [[Gordon Hayward]] in a sign-and-trade deal with the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30416502/charlotte-hornets-complete-sign-trade-boston-celtics-acquire-gordon-hayward|title=Charlotte Hornets complete sign-and-trade with Boston Celtics to acquire Gordon Hayward|website=ESPN.com|date=November 29, 2020|access-date=November 30, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319164544/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30416502/charlotte-hornets-complete-sign-trade-boston-celtics-acquire-gordon-hayward?platform=amp|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hornets finished the 2020–21 season 10th in the East with a 33–39 overall record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2021.html|title=Charlotte Hornets 2020–2021 Season summary|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=June 16, 2021|archive-date=August 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811201037/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2021.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 16, 2021, Ball was named 2020–21 NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the third player in franchise history to win the award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/lamelo-ball-named-2020-21-kia-nba-rookie-year|title=LaMelo Ball Named 2020–21 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year|date=June 16, 2021|website=Hornets.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC|access-date=June 16, 2021|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616233412/https://www.nba.com/hornets/lamelo-ball-named-2020-21-kia-nba-rookie-year|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 7, 2022, Ball was named to his first [[NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star]] Game as an injury replacement for [[Kevin Durant]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/lamelo-ball-dejounte-murray-injury-replacements-all-star-2022|title=LaMelo Ball, Dejounte Murray named as injury replacements for 2022 All-Star Game|website=NBA.com|publisher=[[National Basketball Association]]|access-date=June 8, 2022|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207221859/https://www.nba.com/news/lamelo-ball-dejounte-murray-injury-replacements-all-star-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hornets would clinch a spot in the [[NBA play-in tournament|play-in tournament]] for the second consecutive time although losing to fellow Southeast division foe the [[Atlanta Hawks]] 132–103.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article260386747.html|title=Trae Young gets best of the Hornets and LaMelo Ball as Hawks end Charlotte's season|last=Boone|first=Roderick|date=April 14, 2022|website=[[Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=April 15, 2022}}</ref> On April 22, 2022, the Hornets fired head coach [[James Borrego]] after four seasons with the team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10033907-report-james-borrego-was-fired-by-hornets-in-part-because-of-player-discipline|title=Report: James Borrego Was Fired by Hornets in Part Because of Player Discipline|last=Goldberg|first=Rob|date=April 25, 2022|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=June 10, 2022|archive-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611025310/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10033907-report-james-borrego-was-fired-by-hornets-in-part-because-of-player-discipline|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/news/hornets-fire-coach-james-borrego/XI8TkKrZPgc6/|title=Hornets fire coach James Borrego after 4 seasons|date=April 22, 2022|website=[[The Athletic]]|access-date=June 10, 2022|archive-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611025537/https://theathletic.com/news/hornets-fire-coach-james-borrego/XI8TkKrZPgc6/|url-status=live}}</ref> The team finished the 2021–2022 season with a 43–39 overall record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2022.html|title=Charlotte Hornets 2021–2022 season summary|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=June 10, 2022|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603071101/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2022.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 24, 2022, the Hornets named [[Steve Clifford]] as new head coach marking his second stint as the team's head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-name-steve-clifford-head-coach|title=Charlotte Hornets Name Steve Clifford Head Coach|date=June 24, 2022|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=October 28, 2022|archive-date=June 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624232541/https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-name-steve-clifford-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> During the off-season, notable additions included drafting [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] center [[Mark Williams (basketball)|Mark Williams]] with the 15th pick of the [[2022 NBA draft]] and the free agent signing of point guard and North Carolina native [[Dennis Smith Jr.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article262797483.html|title=Hornets draft Mark Williams from Duke and trade another first round pick|last=Boone|first=Roderick|date=June 24, 2022|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=October 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-sign-free-agent-dennis-smith-jr|title=Charlotte Hornets Sign Free Agent Dennis Smith Jr.|date=September 23, 2022|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=October 28, 2022|archive-date=September 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928231611/https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-sign-free-agent-dennis-smith-jr|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2022–23 NBA season]], the Hornets endured injuries to a majority of the roster, leading to a poor season which ended with a 27–55 record, the fourth worst in the league. Lamelo Ball only played 36 games. However, [[Mark Williams (basketball)|Mark Williams]] proved his immense potential.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article274134325.html|title=After a difficult injury-ravaged season, here are five reasons the Hornets' future may be bright|last=Boone|first=Roderick|date=April 9, 2023|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=June 18, 2023}}</ref>

Courtesy of their poor finish, the Hornets won the second overall pick which they used to select [[Brandon Miller (basketball, born 2002)|Brandon Miller]] in the [[2023 NBA draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-to-pick-second-in-2023-nba-draft|title=Charlotte Hornets to Pick Second In 2023 NBA Draft|date=May 16, 2023|website=Hornets.com|access-date=June 18, 2023|archive-date=June 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618130508/https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-to-pick-second-in-2023-nba-draft|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article276622971.html|title=NBA Draft: Charlotte Hornets select Brandon Miller at No.2|last=Boone|first=Roderick|date=June 23, 2023|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=November 1, 2023|archive-date=June 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625072823/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article276622971.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-select-brandon-miller-with-second-overall-pick-in-2023-nba-draft|title=Charlotte Hornets Select Brandon Miller With Second Overall Pick in 2023 NBA Draft|date=June 23, 2023|website=Hornets.com|access-date=November 1, 2023|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630002405/https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-select-brandon-miller-with-second-overall-pick-in-2023-nba-draft|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 16, 2023, Jordan announced he was selling his majority stake in the team to a group led by [[Gabe Plotkin]] and [[Rick Schnall]].<ref>{{cite news |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Michael Jordan sells majority stake of Hornets |work=The Charlotte Observer |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/article276480951.html}}</ref> The transaction, sold at $3 billion, was approved by the NBA on July 23, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maloney |first1=Jack |title=Hornets sale approved: Michael Jordan's 13-year run as NBA team owner ends, per report |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hornets-sale-approved-michael-jordans-13-year-run-as-nba-team-owner-ends-per-report/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=CBS Sports |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729163958/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hornets-sale-approved-michael-jordans-13-year-run-as-nba-team-owner-ends-per-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 3, 2024 [[Steve Clifford]] announced he would step into an advisor role following a 21–61 season. He finished as the Hornets all time win leader.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Hornets coach Steve Clifford to step down as overhaul continues after Michael Jordan's departure |work=CBS Sports |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hornets-coach-steve-clifford-to-step-down-as-overhaul-continues-after-michael-jordans-departure/}}</ref> On May 9, 2024, Celtics assistant [[Charles Lee (basketball)|Charles Lee]] was announced as his successor, receiving a 4-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Charles Lee agrees to 4-year deal as Hornets coach, sources say |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40111769/charles-lee-agrees-4-year-deal-hornets-coach-sources-say/}}</ref>

[[Brandon Miller (basketball, born 2002)|Brandon Miller]] had a successful rookie season, averaging 17 points per game and finishing third in [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] voting despite a strong rookie class.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Hornets forward Brandon Miller finishes 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting |work=WCNC Charlotte |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/nba/hornets/branon-miller-rookie-of-the-year-voting/275-a078050b-a8ea-4dcc-8003-327a4171ca49/}}</ref> Lamelo Ball once again struggled with injury, only playing 22 games and [[Terry Rozier]] was dealt to Miami at the trade deadline for a pick and veteran guard [[Kyle Lowry]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Heat acquire Rozier from Hornets for Lowry, pick |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/39369373/sources-heat-acquire-hornets-terry-rozier-kyle-lowry-pick |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Another addition was [[Grant Williams (basketball)|Grant Williams]] from the Dallas Mavericks, acquired in a trade for [[P. J. Washington|PJ Washington]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-08 |title=Mavs get Gafford, Washington in separate trades |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/39484821/sources-mavericks-trade-daniel-gafford-wizards |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Gordon Hayward was also dealt away. After the season, former player [[Kemba Walker]] was hired to be assistant coach.

==Logos and uniforms==
[[File:Charlotte hornets-wordmark.png|thumb|Charlotte Hornets wordmark logo]]

===Logos===
The Hornets' first logo was a [[Hugo (mascot)|teal and purple anthropomorphic hornet]] wearing white shoes and gloves dribbling an orange basketball. The words 'Charlotte Hornets' were in teal and curved across the top and bottom of the logo. An alternate logo, used only for the 1988–89 season, featured a large teal letter 'C', with 'Charlotte' in black letters curved upwards underneath. Inside the 'C' was a smaller white letter 'H' outlined in teal, with a black-colored hornet holding a basketball from birds-eye view placed in the center.

The Bobcats' primary logo from 2004 to 2012 consisted of a snarling orange bobcat facing to the right with the indented name 'Bobcats' above in silver on a blue background, with 'Charlotte' (also indented) appearing above it in the same blue color. A change to a less vibrant orange and blue, while retaining the same look, was made in 2007. Further color changes in 2012 made the bobcat gray, extended the blue background up to the 'Charlotte' name, which changed from blue to orange. A Carolina blue outline around the entire logo was also added. In 2007 the Bobcats unveiled a secondary logo, consisting of a snarling bobcat head facing forward with one side shaded orange, and the other blue. A silver basketball was placed behind the right of the head, all encased in an orange-blue-gray circle. During the 2012 rebranding, the colors were changed, with gray and Carolina blue replacing orange on the head and circle outline, respectively, and the basketball changing to orange. This logo would become prominent in the team's marketing and be featured at center court from 2007–08 until 2013–14.

Charlotte's second Hornets logo features a teal and purple forward-facing hornet with the words 'Charlotte Hornets' on its torso. Wings sprout up above the head on both left and right, with teal and purple details. The hornet's stinger is prominently featured; a basketball pattern is above the stinger. Gray fully outlines the logo.<ref name=charlotte_unveiled />
Among the team's different secondary logos includes a hornet facing to the side, its teal and purple body arched in a 'C' shape representing the city of Charlotte, and a modified version of the Hornets original logo (sans the basketball) as the official mascot logo.<ref name=charlotte_unveiled />

===Uniforms===

====Original Hornets====
The original Hornets uniforms were designed by international designer and North Carolina native [[Alexander Julian]]. The team chose teal and purple as its primary colors and featured a first for NBA uniforms—pinstripes. While most teams feature team names on home jerseys and their home city on away jerseys, the Hornets' uniforms had "Charlotte" on both home and away jerseys. Home uniforms were white with pinstripes in teal, green, blue and purple, while the away jerseys were teal with pinstripes in white, green, blue and purple.

In 1994, the Hornets unveiled a purple alternate uniform, with pinstripes in white, green, blue and teal. Likewise, Hugo was featured in the beltline.

From 1997 to 2002, the Hornets made slight changes to their uniforms. Hugo was moved from the beltline to the left leg, while side stripes with pinstripes were added, in purple (away) and teal (home) colors. A tricolor featuring teal, purple and blue was featured on the beltline and the piping.

====Bobcats====
[[File:Al Jefferson Bobcats.jpg|thumb|Bobcats uniform design from 2012 to 2014|245x245px]]
The Bobcats' first home [[Jersey (clothing)|jerseys]] were white, reading "Bobcats" in orange with blue and black trimming. The primary away jersey was orange reading "Charlotte" in white with blue and black trimming.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bobcats Unveil New Team Uniforms|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/uniforms_release_040821.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=August 21, 2004|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=May 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524125243/http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/uniforms_release_040821.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2006 off-season, the Bobcats announced a new alternate away jersey which debuted during the 2006–07 season. The alternate jersey is blue, with the name "Bobcats" in white with black, orange and white trimming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/17/Franchises/Blue-Steel-Bobcats-Unveil-New-Alternate-Road-Uniform.aspx|title=Blue Steel: Bobcats Unveil New Alternate Road Uniform|publisher=Leaders Group|date=August 17, 2006|website=SportsBusinessJournal.com|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref> Racing Day blue alternates (with an arched 'Charlotte', checkered flag side stripes, and centered numbers) were used to honor Charlotte's [[NASCAR]] fanbase.

For the 2009–10 season, the Bobcats sported redesigned uniforms, having a mixture of characteristics from both Hornets and Bobcats uniforms. The home uniforms were white and featured an arched "Bobcats" in blue with orange and white trim. Road uniforms were blue and featured an arched "Charlotte" in white with blue and orange trim. Both designs featured silver pinstripes, similar to what the Hornets wore. The NASCAR uniform was also updated to include the pinstripes. For the 2011–12 season, however, the Bobcats wore their home uniforms on NASCAR night, complete with a [[Racing flags#The chequered flag|racing flag]] patch.

The Bobcats unveiled [[Hardwood Classics]] uniforms honoring the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA)'s [[Carolina Cougars]], which the team wore for select games in 2012.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Bobcats to Honor Charlotte's First Pro Basketball Team, The Carolina Cougars|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_hardwoodclassics_120127.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=January 27, 2012|access-date=May 15, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222003008/http://www.nba.com/hornets/release_hardwoodclassics_120127.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bobcats unveiled new uniforms on June 19, 2012, their second and final change in five years. Overall, they featured less emphasis on orange. The white home uniforms sported the shorter nickname 'Cats' in navy and [[Carolina blue]] trim, while the numbers were in Carolina blue and navy trim, with navy side stripes. The navy away uniforms featured 'Charlotte' in white and Carolina blue trim, with the numbers featured the same trim as the city name, with Carolina blue side stripes. In both uniforms, the pinstripes were relegated to the sides. The uniforms bore a close resemblance to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] uniforms. The addition of Carolina blue was seen as way to connect owner Michael Jordan's [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|collegiate roots]], while the formal adoption of 'Cats' for marketing purposes reflected a popular nickname.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.sportslogos.net/2012/06/19/charlotte-bobcats-unveil-new-uniforms/basketball/|title=Charlotte (Bob)cats Unveil New Uniforms|last=Creamer|first=Chris|date=June 19, 2012|website=news.sportslogos.net|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703200800/https://news.sportslogos.net/2012/06/19/charlotte-bobcats-unveil-new-uniforms/basketball/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Cody Zeller (31538663811).jpg|thumb|[[Cody Zeller]] in 2016, wearing revived Hornets uniform design with teal and dark purple]]

====Revived Hornets====
The newly renamed Hornets unveiled the team's uniforms on June 19, 2014, consisting of white home and purple road uniforms with the "Hornets" wordmark across the chest. The team also unveiled a teal alternate uniform with the "Charlotte" wordmark across the chest. The teal uniform is planned to be used as an alternate uniform for either home or road games and worn a total of 16–20 times per season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets Unveil New Uniforms|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-unveil-new-uniforms|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=June 19, 2014|access-date=June 19, 2014|archive-date=June 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622010209/http://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-unveil-new-uniforms|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 25, 2015, the Hornets unveiled a black sleeved alternate uniform, featuring their "Buzz City" nickname in front. The team wore the uniform for as many as six games during the [[2015–16 NBA season]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Charlotte Hornets Unveil Sleeved Alternate "PRIDE" Uniform|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-unveil-sleeved-alternate-pride-uniform|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=June 25, 2015|access-date=August 29, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004141001/http://www.nba.com/hornets/charlotte-hornets-unveil-sleeved-alternate-pride-uniform|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also worn during select games of the [[2016 NBA playoffs]].

For the 2017–18 season and beyond, the Hornets have been outfitted by [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]'s [[Air Jordan]] brand endorsed by franchise owner Michael Jordan. The white "Association" uniform and the teal "Icon" uniform feature the "Hornets" wordmark in front and the silhouetted hornet on the waistband.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Hornets Unveil First Two Uniforms for 2017-18 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-first-two-uniforms-2017-18-season/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=July 31, 2017|access-date=August 12, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812144317/http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-first-two-uniforms-2017-18-season/|url-status=live}}</ref> The purple "Statement" uniform is similar to the "Icon" and "Association" uniforms, but feature the "Charlotte" wordmark in front.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Hornets Unveil Statement Uniform For 2017-18 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-statement-uniform-2017-18-season/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=September 16, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916143054/http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-statement-uniform-2017-18-season/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Hornets revamped their purple "Statement" uniforms prior to the 2019–20 season. The front of the uniform featured the "CHA" acronym in bold white letters with teal trim, while teal "stinger" stripes accentuate the sides. The silhouetted Hornets logo was moved to the sides of the shorts while the partial logo was placed on the beltline.<ref>{{cite news|last=Perley|first=Sam|title=Hornets Add New Purple Statement Threads to Uniform Rotation|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-add-new-purple-statement-threads-uniform-rotation|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=September 29, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930135616/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-add-new-purple-statement-threads-uniform-rotation|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 31, 2020, the Hornets unveiled new uniforms that include double pinstriped jerseys that pay homage to the jerseys worn from 1997 until 2002. These are the first Hornets regular jerseys to include pinstripes since they wore them as the Bobcats from 2009 to 2012.<ref name="NewHornetsUnis2020" />

Before the 2022–23 season, the Hornets again made slight changes to the purple "Statement" uniform. The uniform brought back the "Hornets" wordmark in front along with white numbers and teal cell accents on each side. The "C" alternate logo was added on the beltline and the alternate "curled hornet" logo was placed below the teal cells on the shorts.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets show off new Statement Edition uniform, court for 2022-23|url=https://www.nba.com/news/hornets-statement-edition-uniform-court-2022-23|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=September 15, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022|archive-date=September 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916030121/https://www.nba.com/news/hornets-statement-edition-uniform-court-2022-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Hornets' "City" uniforms were slight updates of Adidas' sleeved "Buzz City" uniforms. The 2017–18 version featured black letters with white trim on a black base and the sides featured a wing pattern of a hornet.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Hornets Unveil New Jordan Brand "Buzz City" Uniform|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-buzz-city-uniform-unveil|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=December 27, 2017|access-date=February 3, 2018|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000947/http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-buzz-city-uniform-unveil|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2018–19 version was slightly tweaked to feature teal lettering and a new logo reminiscent of the original Air Jordan "Wings" logo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets Unveil 2018-19 City Edition Uniforms|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-2018-19-city-edition-uniforms|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=November 1, 2018|access-date=August 21, 2019|archive-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822011454/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-2018-19-city-edition-uniforms|url-status=live}}</ref>

The "City" uniform for the 2019–20 season moved away from the "Buzz City" concept and went with a cool grey base, purple, teal and black piping, "CHA" acronym in purple and white numbers with purple trim. A cell pattern adorned the sides.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Hornets Unveil New, Cool Gray City Edition Uniform|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-new-cool-gray-city-edition-uniform|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=November 22, 2019|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728142446/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-new-cool-gray-city-edition-uniform|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Hornets unveil City Edition uniforms|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/11/22/charlotte-hornets-city-edition-uniforms|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=November 22, 2019|access-date=November 27, 2019|archive-date=November 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127234909/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/11/22/charlotte-hornets-city-edition-uniforms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Charlotte's "City" uniform for the 2020–21 season paid homage to the city's history as the first to house a [[Charlotte Mint|U.S. Branch Mint]] and the [[Carolina Gold Rush]]. The base color is [[spring green|mint]] and letters and numbers are in granite black with metallic gold trim. Pinstripes are in gold. It also brought back the "Buzz City" crest in front.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets unveil new City Edition uniform for 2020-21 season|url=https://www.nba.com/news/hornets-unveil-new-city-edition-uniform-for-2020-21-season|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=November 14, 2020|access-date=November 14, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113162354/https://www.nba.com/news/hornets-unveil-new-city-edition-uniform-for-2020-21-season|url-status=live}}</ref> This theme was then revisited in their 2022–23 "City" uniform, this in granite black with "[[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|CLT]]" (Charlotte's main abbreviation) in gold with mint trim. Pinstripes alternate between gold and mint.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets 22/23 City Edition Uniform: Gold Rush|url=https://www.nba.com/news/charlotte-hornets-city-edition|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=November 10, 2022|access-date=November 10, 2022|archive-date=November 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110173406/https://www.nba.com/news/charlotte-hornets-city-edition|url-status=live}}</ref>

For the 2021–22 season, the Hornets' "City" uniform visually mixed various elements from previous identities. The cursive "Charlotte" wordmark was inspired by the banners displayed during the franchise's 1988 uniform unveiling. The number placement on the left chest was reminiscent of the Bobcats' original uniforms. The purple cells recalled the court design used at the Charlotte Coliseum, and the teal gradient contained pinstripes, reminiscent of the uniforms worn from 1988 to 1997. The original "Hugo" logo was placed on the left leg, and the script "Hornets" wordmark was added to the right leg. Along the jock tag the Hornets added the "EST. 1988" sign acknowledging the team's inaugural year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets Unveil 2021-22 Nike NBA City Edition Uniform|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-2021-22-nike-nba-city-edition-uniform|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 5, 2021|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105053021/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-2021-22-nike-nba-city-edition-uniform|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2023–24 season, the Hornets mixed both the "Buzz City" and Charlotte Mint themes for their "City" uniform. The design is a teal base with gold trim and mint side panels, with "Buzz City" in white with gold trim emblazoned in front.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets 2023-24 City Edition Uniform: Buzz City Gold Rush|url=https://www.nba.com/news/charlotte-hornets-2023-24-city-edition-uniform-buzz-city-gold-rush|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=November 2, 2023|access-date=February 2, 2024|archive-date=February 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203014002/https://www.nba.com/news/charlotte-hornets-2023-24-city-edition-uniform-buzz-city-gold-rush|url-status=live}}</ref> The mint theme was revisited anew in the 2024–25 "City" uniform, this time using the white "Association" uniform as the basis of the design.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets 2024-25 City Edition Uniform: The final minted chapter|url=https://www.nba.com/news/charlotte-hornets-2024-25-city-edition-uniform|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=November 14, 2024|access-date=November 14, 2024}}</ref>

The "Classic" edition featured a revival of the original Hornets pinstriped uniforms in the current Nike template. The teal version was used in the 2017–18 season,<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets Unveil Classic Uniform for 2017-18 Season|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-classic-uniform-2017-18-season/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=September 13, 2017|access-date=September 16, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916062143/http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-unveil-classic-uniform-2017-18-season|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by a white version in 2018–19, complete with an alternate court marking the 30th anniversary of NBA basketball in Charlotte.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Hornets Unveil New White Classic Uniform For 2018-19 Season|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-new-white-classic-uniform-2018-19-season|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=July 25, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2018|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726135553/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-new-white-classic-uniform-2018-19-season|url-status=live}}</ref> For 2019–20, the Hornets wore purple versions of the pinstriped uniforms to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the uniform's unveiling.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Hornets Unveil New Purple Classic Uniforms For 2019-20 Season|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-new-purple-classic-uniforms-2019-20-season|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=August 20, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2019|archive-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822011452/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-unveil-new-purple-classic-uniforms-2019-20-season|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 35th anniversary season in 2023–24, the Hornets wore the throwback double pinstriped teal uniforms with purple side stripes, which they wore from 1997 to 2002. However, the Classic Edition court was not used with the uniform.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hornets unveil new Classic Edition uniforms for 2023-24|url=https://www.nba.com/news/hornets-unveil-classic-edition-uniforms-2023-24|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=August 24, 2023|access-date=August 24, 2023|archive-date=August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824024626/https://www.nba.com/news/hornets-unveil-classic-edition-uniforms-2023-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Season-by-season record==
''List of the last five seasons completed by the Hornets. For the full season-by-season history, see [[List of Charlotte Hornets seasons]].''

'''''Note:''' GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage''
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; {{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"
| Season || GP || W || L || W–L% || Finish || Playoffs
|-
| [[2019–20 NBA season|2019–20]] || 65 || 23 || 42 || {{Winning percentage|23|42}} || 4th, Southeast || Did not qualify
|-
| [[2020–21 NBA season|2020–21]] || 72 || 33 || 39 || {{Winning percentage|33|39}} || 4th, Southeast || Did not qualify
|-
| [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22]] || 82 || 43 || 39 || {{Winning percentage|43|39}} || 3rd, Southeast || Did not qualify
|-
| [[2022–23 NBA season|2022–23]] || 82 || 27 || 55 || {{Winning percentage|27|55}} || 5th, Southeast || Did not qualify
|-
| [[2023–24 NBA season|2023–24]] || 82 || 21 || 61 || {{Winning percentage|21|61}} || 4th, Southeast || Did not qualify
|}

==Arenas==
* [[Charlotte Coliseum]] (1988–2002, 2004–2005)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boplex.com/|title=The BOplex: Home of Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium|website=boplex.com|publisher=Bojangles Entertainment Complex|access-date=January 31, 2023|archive-date=April 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416050916/https://www.boplex.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Spectrum Center]] (2005–present) <small>(known as Charlotte Bobcats Arena from 2005 to 2008 and Time Warner Cable Arena from 2008 to 2016)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com/|title=Spectrum Center Charlotte Homepage|website=spectrum centercharlotte.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129020832/https://www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Hornets played their first 15 seasons at the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], which was called "The Hive" by fans. With over 23,000 seats, it was (and still remains) the largest basketball-specific venue in the league by seating capacity. The Coliseum hosted 371 consecutive NBA sell-outs (including seven playoff games) from December 1988 to November 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlotte Hornets – 30th Anniversary Season |url=https://hornets30.com/ |access-date=February 22, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222022758/https://hornets30.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Hornets would go on to lead the NBA in attendance in eight of its first nine seasons. When Charlotte returned to the NBA as the Bobcats, they temporarily played in the Coliseum in the 2004–05 season while their new arena (the Charlotte Bobcats Arena) was being built. After its completion, the city closed the old Coliseum in the 2005 off-season and opened the new arena with a [[Rolling Stones]] concert.
In April 2008, the Bobcats reached a [[naming rights]] deal with [[Time Warner Cable]], North Carolina's largest [[cable television]] provider. In exchange for the naming rights, Time Warner agreed to tear up the cable television deal that had limited the Bobcats' exposure over the team's first four years (see below).<ref name="BobcatsTWFS">{{cite press release|title=Bobcats, Time Warner Cable, Fox Sports Strike Unprecedented Deal|url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/arena_tv_rights_release.html|publisher=Charlotte Bobcats|date=April 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420070145/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/arena_tv_rights_release.html|archive-date=April 20, 2008|access-date=June 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=AP: Time Warner gets naming rights for Bobcats Arena|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/bobcats/2008-04-07-time-warner-rights_N.htm|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 7, 2008|access-date=June 30, 2009|archive-date=June 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626033520/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/bobcats/2008-04-07-time-warner-rights_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> When the Hornets returned to Charlotte, "The Hive" nickname also returned to the arena. In August 2016, the arena was renamed the Spectrum Center after Time Warner's merger with [[Charter Communications]] and its [[Charter Spectrum|Spectrum]] consumer/business branding.<ref name="Spectrum Center">{{cite news|last=Wash|first=Quinton|title=Charlotte Hornets Announce Arena To Be Renamed "Spectrum Center"|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/charlotte-hornets-announce-arena-be-renamed-spectrum-center|website=Hornets.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|date=August 17, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731202015/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/charlotte-hornets-announce-arena-be-renamed-spectrum-center|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Hornets practice at the '''Novant Health Training Center''', located within the Spectrum Center. Previously the team practiced at the [[Grady Cole Center]] in the Elizabeth neighborhood before moving to a purpose-built facility in [[Fort Mill, South Carolina]] located beside [[Knights Castle]]; this facility is now known as '''The Pointe Arts and Recreation Center'''.


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
{{see also|Charlotte Bobcats draft history|Charlotte Bobcats all-time roster}}
{{see also|Charlotte Hornets draft history|Charlotte Hornets all-time roster|Category:Charlotte Hornets players}}


===Current roster===
===Current roster===
{{Charlotte Bobcats roster}}
{{Charlotte Hornets roster}}

===Retained draft rights===
The Hornets hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player is ostensibly either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm|title=NBA Salary Cap FAQ – 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement|quote=If the player is already under contract to, or signs a contract with a non-NBA team, the team retains the player's draft rights for one year after the player's obligation to the non-NBA team ends. Essentially, the clock stops as long as the player plays pro ball outside the NBA.|first=Larry|last=Coon|author-link=Larry Coon|access-date=April 13, 2014|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527075033/http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;"
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Draft
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Round
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Pick
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Pos.
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Nationality
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Current team
! style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Note(s)
! class="unsortable" style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Ref
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[2015 NBA draft|2015]]
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|51
| {{sortname|Tyler|Harvey|dab=basketball}}
| style="text-align:center;"|G
| {{flagu|United States}}
| [[Illawarra Hawks]] ([[National Basketball League (Australia)|Australia]])
| Acquired from the [[Orlando Magic]] (via [[Memphis Grizzlies|Memphis]])
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Hornets Acquire Wes Iwundu and Protected 2022 First-Round Pick in Three-Team Sign-and-Trade|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/charlotte-hornets-acquire-2022-lottery-protected-first-round-pick-sign-and-trade|website=NBA.com|date=August 7, 2021|access-date=August 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807160048/https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/charlotte-hornets-acquire-2022-lottery-protected-first-round-pick-sign-and-trade|archive-date=August 7, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==Head coaches==
{{main|List of Charlotte Hornets head coaches}}

==Franchise records, awards and honors==
{{see also|Charlotte Hornets accomplishments and records|List of Charlotte Hornets seasons}}


===International rights===
===Franchise leaders===
'''Bold''' denotes still active with team. ''Italic'' denotes still active but not with team.


'''Regular season''' (as of the end of the 2023–24 season)
None.


{{columns-start|num=5}}
===Head coaches===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
{{main|List of Charlotte Bobcats head coaches}}
{|class="wikitable" style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Most points scored
! style="width:13%;" rowspan="2"| Name
! style="width:13%;" rowspan="2"| Start
! style="width:13%;" rowspan="2"| End
! style="width:18%;" colspan="4"| Totals
! style="width:18%;" colspan="4"| Regular season
! style="width:18%;" colspan="4"| Playoffs
|-
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
! {{Tooltip| G | Total games}} !! {{Tooltip| W | Games won}} !! {{Tooltip| L | Games lost}} !! {{Tooltip| PCT | Winning percentage}} !! {{Tooltip| G | Total games}} !! {{Tooltip| W | Games won}} !! {{Tooltip| L | Games lost}} !! {{Tooltip| PCT | Winning percentage}} !! {{Tooltip| G | Total games}} !! {{Tooltip| W | Games won}} !! {{Tooltip| L | Games lost}} !! {{Tooltip| PCT | Winning percentage}}
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Points
|-
|-
| ''[[Kemba Walker]]'' || 12,009<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/enwiki/w/walkeke02.html|title=Kemba Walker Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325021108/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/enwiki/w/walkeke02.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| '''[[Bernie Bickerstaff]]''' || October 16, 2004 || March 13, 2007 || style="width:5%;"| 246 || style="width:5%;"| 77 || style="width:5%;"| 169 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|77|169}} || style="width:5%;"| 246 || style="width:5%;"| 77 || style="width:5%;"| 169 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|77|169}} || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|0|0}}
|-
|-
| [[Dell Curry]] || 9,839<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryde01.html|title=Dell Curry Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=June 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616143908/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryde01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| '''[[Sam Vincent (basketball)|Sam Vincent]]''' || May 25, 2007 || April 26, 2008 || style="width:5%;"| 82 || style="width:5%;"| 32 || style="width:5%;"| 50 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|32|50}} || style="width:5%;"| 82 || style="width:5%;"| 32 || style="width:5%;"| 50 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|32|50}} || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|0|0}}
|-
|-
| [[Gerald Wallace]] || 7,437<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/enwiki/w/wallage01.html|title=Gerald Wallace Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=December 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204050811/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/enwiki/w/wallage01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| '''[[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]]''' || April 29, 2008 || December 22, 2010 || style="width:5%;"| 196 || style="width:5%;"| 88 || style="width:5%;"| 108 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|88|108}} || style="width:5%;"| 192 || style="width:5%;"| 88 || style="width:5%;"| 104 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|88|108}} || style="width:5%;"| 4 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 4 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|0|4}}
|-
|-
| [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] || 7,405<ref name="Larry Johnson Statistics">{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsla02.html|title=Larry Johnson Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512124551/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsla02.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| '''[[Paul Silas]]''' || December 22, 2010 || April 30, 2012 || style="width:5%;"| 120 || style="width:5%;"| 32 || style="width:5%;"| 88 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|32|88}} || style="width:5%;"| 120 || style="width:5%;"| 32 || style="width:5%;"| 88 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|32|88}} || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|0|0}}
|-
|-
| ''[[Terry Rozier]]'' || 5,974<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roziete01.html|title=Terry Rozier Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=April 16, 2024}}</ref>
| '''[[Mike Dunlap]]''' || June 18, 2012 || April 23, 2013 || style="width:5%;"| 82 || style="width:5%;"| 21 || style="width:6%;"| 61 || style="width:6%;"| {{Winning percentage|21|61}} || style="width:6%;"| 82 || style="width:6%;"| 21 || style="width:5%;"| 61 || style="width:6%;"| {{Winning percentage|21|61}} || style="width:6%;"| 0 || style="width:6%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|0|0}}
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Most rebounds
| '''[[Steve Clifford]]''' || April 23, 2013 || || style="width:5%;"| 85 || style="width:5%;"| 43 || style="width:6%;"| 42 || style="width:6%;"| {{Winning percentage|43|42}} || style="width:6%;" | 82 || style="width:5%;"| 43 || style="width:5%;"| 39 || style="width:6%;"| {{Winning percentage|43|39}} || style="width:6%;"| 4 || style="width:6%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 4 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|0|4}}
|-
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
| colspan=3|'''Totals''' || style="width:5%;"| 811 || style="width:5%;"| 293 || style="width:6%;"| 518 || style="width:6%;"| {{Winning percentage|293|519}} || style="width:6%;"| 804 || style="width:6%;"| 293 || style="width:5%;"| 515 || style="width:6%;"| {{Winning percentage|293|515}} || style="width:6%;"| 8 || style="width:6%;"| 0 || style="width:5%;"| 8 || style="width:5%;"| {{Winning percentage|0|8}}
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Rebounds
|-
| [[Emeka Okafor]] || 3,516<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/okafoem01.html|title=Emeka Okafor Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=February 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207150835/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/okafoem01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] || 3,479<ref name="Larry Johnson Statistics"/>
|-
| [[Gerald Wallace]] || 3,398
|-
| ''[[Cody Zeller]]'' || 2,824
|-
| ''[[Bismack Biyombo]]'' || 2,625<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/biyombi01.html|title=Bismack Biyombo Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=April 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404180437/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/biyombi01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Most assists
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Assists
|-
| [[Muggsy Bogues]] || 5,557
|-
| ''[[Kemba Walker]]'' || 3,308
|-
| [[Raymond Felton]] || 2,573<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/feltora01.html|title=Raymond Felton Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814123119/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/feltora01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[David Wesley]] || 1,911
|-
| [[Baron Davis]] || 1,605<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisba01.html|title=Baron Davis Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512123906/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisba01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Most minutes played
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Minutes
|-
| ''[[Kemba Walker]]'' || 20,607
|-
| [[Muggsy Bogues]] || 19,768
|-
| [[Dell Curry]] || 17,613
|-
| [[Gerald Wallace]] || 16,718
|-
| [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] || 14,635
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Most steals
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Steals
|-
| [[Muggsy Bogues]] || 1,067
|-
| [[Gerald Wallace]] || 827
|-
| ''[[Kemba Walker]]'' || 799
|-
| [[Dell Curry]] || 747
|-
| [[Raymond Felton]] || 565
|}
{{column}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Most blocks
|-
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
! style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Blocks
|-
| [[Alonzo Mourning]] || 684
|-
| [[Emeka Okafor]] || 621
|-
| ''[[Bismack Biyombo]]'' || 607
|-
| [[Gerald Wallace]] || 531
|-
| [[Elden Campbell]] || 484
|}
{{columns-end}}


===Individual awards===
==Uniforms and arenas==
{{columns-start|num=3}}
'''[[NBA All-Rookie First Team|All-Rookie First Team]]'''
* [[Kendall Gill]] – 1991<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gillke01.html|title=Kendall Gill Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512141145/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gillke01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] – 1992
* [[Alonzo Mourning]] – 1993<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mournal01.html|title=Alonzo Mourning Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=September 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914152719/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mournal01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Emeka Okafor]] – 2005
* [[LaMelo Ball]] – 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/lamelo-ball-named-2020-21-all-rookie-first-team|title=LaMelo Ball Named to 2020-21 All-Rookie First Team|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=June 17, 2021|archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618000919/https://www.nba.com/hornets/lamelo-ball-named-2020-21-all-rookie-first-team|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Brandon Miller (basketball, born 2002)|Brandon Miller]] – 2024<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millebr02.html|title=Brandon Miller Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=May 20, 2024}}</ref>


'''[[NBA All-Rookie Second Team|All-Rookie Second Team]]'''
===Uniforms===
* [[Rex Chapman]] – 1989<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chapmre01.html|title=Rex Chapman Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=January 31, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131181559/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chapmre01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Until 2009, home [[Jersey (clothing)|jerseys]] have been white, reading "Bobcats" in orange with blue and black trimming. The primary away jersey was orange reading "Charlotte" in white with blue and black trimming.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobcats Unveil New Team Uniforms |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=August 21, 2004 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/uniforms_release_040821.html}}</ref> In the 2006 offseason, the Bobcats announced a new alternate away jersey which debuted during the 2006–07 season. The alternate jersey is blue, with the name "Bobcats" in white with black, orange and white trimming.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobcats Unveil Alternate Road Uniform |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=August 16, 2006 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/alternate_unveiled_060816.html}}</ref> Racing Day blue alternates are used to honor Charlotte's [[NASCAR]] fanbase.
* [[J. R. Reid]] – 1990<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/reidjr01.html|title=J.R. Reid Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=January 31, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202014017/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/reidjr01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Raymond Felton]] – 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/feltora01.html|title=Raymond Felton Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814123119/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/feltora01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Adam Morrison]] – 2007<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morriad01.html|title=Adam Morrison Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018100532/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morriad01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Walter Herrmann]] – 2007<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/herrmwa01.html|title=Walter Herrmann Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129120039/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/herrmwa01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[D. J. Augustin]] – 2009<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/augusdj01.html|title=D.J. Augustin Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=October 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023124559/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/augusdj01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Michael Kidd-Gilchrist]] – 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kiddgmi01.html|title=Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=April 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401215201/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kiddgmi01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Cody Zeller]] – 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/z/zelleco01.html|title=Cody Zeller Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=July 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716020056/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/z/zelleco01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[P. J. Washington]] – 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/enwiki/w/washipj01.html|title=P.J. Washington Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202013734/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/enwiki/w/washipj01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


{{column}}
For the 2009–10 season, the Bobcats redesigned their uniforms, which have a mixture of characteristics from the old [[New Orleans Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] and the Bobcats uniforms. The home uniforms are white and features an arched "Bobcats" in blue with orange and white trim. Road uniforms are blue and features the arched "Charlotte" in white with blue and orange trim. Both designs feature silver pinstripes, similar to what the Hornets have worn for most of their existence. The NASCAR alternates were also updated to include the pinstripes. For the 2011–12 season, however, the Bobcats wore their home uniforms on NASCAR night, complete with a [[Racing flags#The chequered flag|racing flag]] patch. The uniforms are similar to that of the [[Orlando Magic]].
'''[[All-NBA Second Team]]'''
* [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] – 1993
* [[Glen Rice]] – 1997


'''[[All-NBA Third Team]]'''
The Bobcats unveiled new uniforms on June 19, 2012, featuring lesser emphasis on orange and the pinstripes. The white home uniforms now feature the shorter nickname 'Cats' in navy and [[Carolina blue]] trim, while the numbers are in Carolina blue and navy trim, with navy side stripes. The navy away uniforms still feature 'Charlotte' in white and Carolina blue trim, with the numbers feature the same trim as the city name, with Carolina blue side stripes. In both uniforms, the pinstripes were relegated to the side stripes. The uniforms bear a close resemblance to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] uniforms. The addition of Carolina blue was seen as way to connect current owner Michael Jordan's [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|collegiate roots]], while the formal adoption of 'Cats' for marketing purposes reflected the team's popular nickname.
* [[Anthony Mason (basketball)|Anthony Mason]] – 1997<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/masonan01.html|title=Anthony Mason Statistics|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=June 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620223100/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/masonan01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Glen Rice]] – 1998
* [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]] – 2000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesed02.html|title=Eddie Jones Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=June 12, 2022|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512230037/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesed02.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Al Jefferson]] – 2014
* [[Kemba Walker]] – 2019


'''[[NBA All-Defensive First Team|All-Defensive First Team]]'''
===Arenas===
* [[Gerald Wallace]] – 2010
*[[Charlotte Coliseum]] (2004–2005)
*[[Time Warner Cable Arena]] (2005–present), known as Charlotte Bobcats Arena (2005–2008)


'''[[NBA All-Defensive Second Team|All-Defensive Second Team]]'''
During their first season, the Bobcats played their home games at the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], while their new arena (the Charlotte Bobcats Arena) was being built. After its completion, the city closed the old Coliseum in the 2005 offseason and opened the new arena with a [[Rolling Stones]] concert.
* [[Anthony Mason (basketball)|Anthony Mason]] – 1997
* [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]] – 1999, 2000
* [[P. J. Brown]] – 2001


{{column}}
In April 2008, the Bobcats reached a [[naming rights]] deal with [[Time Warner Cable]], the Charlotte area's largest [[cable television]] provider. In exchange for the naming rights, Time Warner agreed to tear up the cable television deal that had limited the Bobcats' exposure over the team's first four years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Warner gets naming rights for Bobcats Arena |author=Mike Cranston |agency=Associated Press |date=April 7, 2008 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-040708-mw-bobcatsname.40c2805b.html}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
'''[[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]]'''
* [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] – 1992<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/05/12/Larry-Johnson-named-NBA-Rookie-of-Year/2897705643200/|title=Larry Johnson Named NBA Rookie of the Year|date=May 12, 1992|website=[[United Press International]]|access-date=June 12, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Emeka Okafor]] – 2005
* [[LaMelo Ball]] – 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/sports/basketball/lamelo-ball-rookie-of-the-year.html|title=Charlotte's LaMelo Ball Named NBA's Rookie of the Year|last=Stein|first=Marc|date=June 16, 2021|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202183224/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/sports/basketball/lamelo-ball-rookie-of-the-year.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


'''[[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|Sixth Man of the Year]]'''
==Franchise records, awards and honors==
* [[Dell Curry]] – 1994
{{see also|Charlotte Bobcats accomplishments and records|List of Charlotte Bobcats seasons}}


'''[[NBA Executive of the Year Award|Executive of the Year]]'''
===Individual awards===
* [[Bob Bass]] – 1997
{{columns-end}}


===NBA All-Star Weekend===
'''[[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]]'''
{{columns-start|num=3}}
*[[Emeka Okafor]]&nbsp;– [[2004–05 NBA season|2005]]
'''[[NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Selections]]'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Charlotte Hornets All-Star Game Selections|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/all_star.html|work=Basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 17, 2018|archive-date=February 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210257/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/all_star.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1969)|Larry Johnson]] – [[1993 NBA All-Star Game|1993]], [[1995 NBA All-Star Game|1995]]
* [[Alonzo Mourning]] – [[1994 NBA All-Star Game|1994]], [[1995 NBA All-Star Game|1995]]
* [[Glen Rice]] – [[1996 NBA All-Star Game|1996]], [[1997 NBA All-Star Game|1997]], [[1998 NBA All-Star Game|1998]]
* [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]] – [[2000 NBA All-Star Game|2000]]
* [[Baron Davis]] – [[2002 NBA All-Star Game|2002]]
* [[Gerald Wallace]] – [[2010 NBA All-Star Game|2010]]
* [[Kemba Walker]] – [[2017 NBA All-Star Game|2017]], [[2018 NBA All-Star Game|2018]], [[2019 NBA All-Star Game|2019]]
* [[LaMelo Ball]] – [[2022 NBA All-Star Game|2022]]


{{column}}
'''[[NBA All-Rookie Team|NBA All-Rookie First Team]]'''
'''[[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|All-Star Most Valuable Player]]'''
*[[Emeka Okafor]]&nbsp;– [[2004–05 NBA season|2005]]
* [[Glen Rice]] – [[1997 NBA All-Star Game|1997]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/glen-rice-shines-starry-night-cleveland|title=Glen Rice Shines on a Starry Night in Cleveland|last=Wash|first=Quinton|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=February 9, 2022|archive-date=February 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209185231/https://www.nba.com/hornets/glen-rice-shines-starry-night-cleveland|url-status=live}}</ref>


{{columns-end}}
'''[[NBA All-Rookie Team|NBA All-Rookie Second Team]]'''
*[[Raymond Felton]]&nbsp;– [[2005–06 NBA season|2006]]
*[[Adam Morrison]]&nbsp;– [[2006–07 NBA season|2007]]
*[[Walter Herrmann]]&nbsp;– [[2006–07 NBA season|2007]]
*[[D. J. Augustin]]&nbsp;– [[2008–09 NBA season|2009]]
*[[Michael Kidd-Gilchrist]]&nbsp;– [[2012–13 NBA season|2013]]


===Retired numbers===
'''[[NBA All-Defensive Team|NBA All-Defensive First Team]]'''
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
*[[Gerald Wallace]]&nbsp;– [[2009-10 NBA season|2010]]
|-
| colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|'''Charlotte Hornets retired numbers'''
|-
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|No.
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Player
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Position
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Tenure
! style="{{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Date
|-
| '''13''' || [[Bobby Phills]] || [[Guard (basketball)|G]] || 1997–2000 || February 9, 2000
|}
* The Charlotte Hornets retired Phills' number on February 9, 2000, after his death in an automobile accident in Charlotte. His jersey hung from the rafters of the Charlotte Coliseum until the franchise relocated in May 2002; it was then displayed in the New Orleans Arena until 2013. On November 1, 2014, Phills' jersey was returned to Charlotte, where it was re-honored and currently hangs in the Spectrum Center.<ref name="jersey">{{cite news|title=Hornets to Bring Phills' Retired Jersey Back to Charlotte|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-bring-bobby-phills-retired-jersey-back-charlotte|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=October 23, 2014|access-date=January 31, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308074314/https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-bring-bobby-phills-retired-jersey-back-charlotte|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2014/11/01/phills-no-13-jersey-raised-again-in-charlotte/18348579/ |title=Phills' No. 13 jersey raised again in Charlotte |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=November 1, 2014 |access-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043134/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2014/11/01/phills-no-13-jersey-raised-again-in-charlotte/18348579/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="jersey2">{{cite news |url=http://myfox8.com/2014/11/02/charlotte-hornets-re-hang-bobby-phills-jersey-saturday-night/ |title=Charlotte Hornets re-hang Bobby Phills' jersey Saturday night |publisher=[[WGHP|WGHP Fox 8]] |date=November 2, 2014 |access-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209040022/https://myfox8.com/2014/11/02/charlotte-hornets-re-hang-bobby-phills-jersey-saturday-night/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The NBA retired [[Bill Russell]]'s No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA |url=https://www.nba.com/news/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-to-be-retired-throughout-nba |website=NBA.com |access-date=August 24, 2022 |date=August 11, 2022 |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817080803/https://www.nba.com/news/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-to-be-retired-throughout-nba |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Golliver |first1=Ben |title=NBA permanently retires Bill Russell's No. 6 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/bill-russell-nba-jersey-retirement/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=August 24, 2022 |date=August 11, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107143239/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/bill-russell-nba-jersey-retirement/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Basketball Hall of Famers===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Charlotte Hornets Hall of Famers
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Players
|-
! No. || Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| '''00''' || [[Robert Parish]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/robert-parish/|title=Robert Parish|website=[[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]|access-date=February 21, 2022|archive-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120082630/https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/robert-parish/|url-status=live}}</ref> || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1994–1996 || 2003
|-
| '''33''' || [[Alonzo Mourning]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/alonzo-mourning/|title=Alonzo Mourning|website=[[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]|access-date=February 21, 2022|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221190350/https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/alonzo-mourning/|url-status=live}}</ref>|| [[Center (basketball)|C]]/[[Power forward (basketball)|F]] || 1992–1995 || 2014
|-
| '''12''' || [[Vlade Divac]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/vlade-divac/|title=Vlade Divac|website=[[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]|access-date=February 21, 2022|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121020432/https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/vlade-divac/|url-status=live}}</ref> || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1996–1998 || 2019
|-
| '''9''' || [[Tony Parker]] || [[Point guard|G]] || 2018–2019 || 2023
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Coaches
|-
! colspan="2"|Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Larry Brown (basketball)|Larry Brown]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/larry-brown/|title=Larry Brown|website=[[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]|access-date=February 21, 2022|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328072411/https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/larry-brown/|url-status=live}}</ref> || Head coach || 2008–2010 || 2002
|}

===FIBA Hall of Famers===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{NBA color cell|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Charlotte Hornets Hall of Famers
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center; {{NBA color cell2|Charlotte Hornets|border=2}};"|Players
|-
! No. || Name || Position || Tenure || Inducted
|-
| '''12''' || [[Vlade Divac]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]] || 1996–1998 || 2010
|-
| '''33''' || [[Alonzo Mourning]] || [[Center (basketball)|C]]/[[Power forward (basketball)|F]] || 1992–1995 || 2019
|}

==Mascot and cheerleaders==
[[File:PoBoyFest08Buzz.jpg|thumb|Hugo the Hornet in 2008]]
'''[[Hugo (mascot)|Hugo The Hornet]]''' is the current [[mascot]] of the franchise. Shortly after the news that Charlotte would get the Hornets name back, at halftime of a December 21, 2013, game between Charlotte and the [[Utah Jazz]], Hugo was announced to return as the Charlotte Hornets' new mascot for the 2014–15 NBA season.<ref name="charlotte_unveiled" />


From 2004 to 2014, '''Rufus D. Lynx''' was the mascot of the Bobcats.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rufus Lynx Player Page|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/rufus.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bobcats.com|date=September 20, 2011|access-date=March 22, 2013|archive-date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826233741/http://www.nba.com/hornets/rufus.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dorsey |first=Jesse |title=12 NBA Mascots That Make Children Cry |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1087349-12-nba-mascots-that-make-children-cry/page/3 |website=Bleacher Report |date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521074857/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1087349-12-nba-mascots-that-make-children-cry/page/3 |url-status=live }}</ref> He first appeared on November 1, 2003, according to his official bio on the Bobcats' website. The name comes from the scientific name of the [[bobcat]], which is ''Lynx rufus''. During the [[2012 NBA All-Star Game|2012 NBA All-Star]] Jam Session, Rufus D. Lynx broke a world record along with [[The Coyote (mascot)|Coyote]], [[Memphis Grizzlies#Mascot|Grizz]], [[Hooper (mascot)|Hooper]], and Sly the Silver Fox for most "between the legs" basketball dunks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jolley |first=Justin |url=http://www.mascotinsider.com/nba-mascots-breaks-world-record/ |title=NBA Mascots Breaks World Record! |publisher=Mascotinsider.com |date=March 3, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726190456/http://www.mascotinsider.com/nba-mascots-breaks-world-record/ |archive-date=July 26, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/3/nbas-all-star-jam-session-scores-string-of-world-records/ |title=NBA's All-Star Jam Session scores string of world records |publisher=Guinness World Records |date=March 3, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023205507/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/3/nbas-all-star-jam-session-scores-string-of-world-records/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bleacher Report]] ranked Rufus as the 8th best mascot in the NBA.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benjamin |first=Josh |title=Ranking All 30 NBA Mascots from Worst to First |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/914660-ranking-all-30-mascots-from-worst-to-first/page/24 |website=Bleacher Report |date=October 28, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218110101/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/914660-ranking-all-30-mascots-from-worst-to-first/page/24 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rufus D. Lynx is featured in ''[[NBA Jam (2010 video game)|NBA Jam 2010]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |title=Your NBA Jam Rosters Are Set |url=http://kotaku.com/5638224/your-nba-jam-rosters-are-set |work=[[Kotaku]] |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006104003/http://kotaku.com/5638224/your-nba-jam-rosters-are-set |url-status=live }}</ref> Rufus D. Lynx was officially retired following the conclusion of the 2013–14 NBA season, and the Hornets made him a farewell video in May 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Weinrib |first=Ben |title=Video: Charlotte Bobcats mascot Rufus 'retiring' |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/05/16/3866701/video-charlotte-bobcats-mascot.html |work=[[The News & Observer]] |date=May 16, 2014 |access-date=January 25, 2015 |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010145055/http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/05/16/3866701/video-charlotte-bobcats-mascot.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The updated '''Hugo''' was unveiled on an around the city tour on June 5, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Hornet Comes Home|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornet-comes-home|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=June 5, 2014|access-date=June 5, 2014|archive-date=June 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608040222/http://www.nba.com/hornets/hornet-comes-home|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''[[NBA All-Star Weekend]]'''
*[[Gerald Wallace]]&nbsp;– [[2009-10 NBA season|2010]]


The Hornets have an official [[National Basketball Association Cheerleading|cheerleading]] squad known as the [[Charlotte Honey Bees]]. The Honey Bees perform sideline dances as well as center-court dances during games. They also represent the Hornets brand as ambassadors to the community and are involved in community service activities and charity functions. When the team was known as the Bobcats, the cheerleaders were called the Lady Cats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/resources/enwiki/static/team/v2/hornets/sites/test/17honeybees/|title=The Honey Bees|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=June 10, 2022|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703195712/https://www.nba.com/resources/enwiki/static/team/v2/hornets/sites/test/17honeybees/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Mascot==
'''Rufus D. Lynx''' is the official [[mascot]] of the Bobcats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/rufus.html |title=Rufus Lynx Player Page |publisher=Nba.com |date=2011-09-20 |accessdate=2013-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1087349-12-nba-mascots-that-make-children-cry/page/3 |title=12 NBA Mascots That Make Children Cry |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=2012-03-02 |accessdate=2013-03-22}}</ref> He first appeared on November 1, 2003, according to his official bio on the Bobcats' website. The name Rufus D. Lynx comes from the scientific name of the [[bobcat]], which is ''Lynx rufus''. During the [[2012 NBA All-Star Game|2012 NBA All-Star]] Jam Session, Rufus D. Lynx broke a world record along with [[The Coyote (mascot)|Coyote]], [[Grizz (mascot)|Grizz]], [[Hooper (mascot)|Hooper]], and Sly the Silver Fox for most
"between the legs" basketball dunks.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jolley |first=Justin |url=http://www.mascotinsider.com/nba-mascots-breaks-world-record/ |title=NBA Mascots Breaks World Record! |publisher=Mascotinsider.com |date=2012-03-03 |accessdate=2013-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/3/nbas-all-star-jam-session-scores-string-of-world-records/ |title=NBA’s All-Star Jam Session scores string of world records – - – Latest World Record News |publisher=Guinness World Records |date=2012-03-03 |accessdate=2013-03-22}}</ref> TCHuddle.com ranked Rufus D. Lynx as the 13th best NBA mascot.<ref>[http://www.tchuddle.com/2012/01/happy-birthday-crunch/ ]{{dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref> [[Bleacher Report]] ranked Rufus as the 8th best mascot in the NBA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/914660-ranking-all-30-mascots-from-worst-to-first/page/24 |title=Ranking All 30 NBA Mascots from Worst to First |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=2011-10-28 |accessdate=2013-03-22}}</ref> Rufus D. Lynx is featured in [[NBA Jam (2010 video game)|NBA Jam 2010]].<ref>[http://kotaku.com/5638224/your-nba-jam-rosters-are-set Your NBA Jam Rosters Are Set<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It was announced at halftime of a [[2013–14 NBA season|regular season game]] on December 21, 2013 between the Bobcats and the [[Utah Jazz]] that [[Hugo (mascot)|Hugo the Hornet]] would return officially as the reborn Hornets' new mascot for the 2014–2015 NBA season.<ref name="charlotte_unveiled" />


==Media coverage==
==Media coverage==
{{main|List of Charlotte Bobcats broadcasters}}
{{main|List of Charlotte Hornets broadcasters}}
From 1988 to 1992, the Hornets aired most road games, and occasional home games, on a network of stations in North Carolina, [[South Carolina]] and [[Virginia]] fronted by [[WCCB]] in Charlotte. WCCB's longtime owner, [[Cy Bahakel]], was a minority partner in the Hornets' original ownership group. Starting with the 1990–91 season, several games also aired on the original SportSouth, forerunner of [[Bally Sports South]], for customers in North and South Carolina. [[WJZY]] became the Hornets' over-the-air flagship in 1992, and remained as such until 1998. From 1995 to 1998, some games aired on WJZY's sister station, WFVT-TV (now [[WMYT-TV]]). [[WAXN-TV]] became the flagship for the 1998–99 season, and remained as such until the original team departed in 2002. Generally, most home games slated for telecast aired on SportSouth/Fox Sports South.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/carolinas|title=Charlotte Sports News, Video & Photos|website=Foxsportscarolinas.com|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-date=July 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719174143/http://www.foxsports.com/carolinas|url-status=live}}</ref>
For the Bobcats' first season, Johnson partnered with Time Warner to create [[Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television]] (C-SET), a [[regional sports network]]. It aired 60 Bobcats games that also aired on [[Comporium Communications|Comporium Cable]] in the [[South Carolina]] portion of the Charlotte market. However, Time Warner placed C-SET on its [[digital cable|digital package]] as an incentive to try to get customers to switch to its digital service, leaving analog customers in the dark. It also refused to allow [[DirecTV]] or [[Dish Network]] to pick up C-SET on their local feeds. As a result, Charlotte-area viewers without digital cable, as well as [[western North Carolina]] and most of South Carolina, were left to rely on radio coverage.


When the team returned as the Bobcats in 2004, Johnson partnered with Time Warner to create [[Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television]] (C-SET), a [[regional sports network]]. It aired 60 Bobcats games that also aired on [[Comporium Communications|Comporium Cable]] in the South Carolina portion of the Charlotte market. However, Time Warner placed C-SET on its [[digital cable|digital package]] as an incentive to try to get customers to switch to its digital service, leaving analog customers in the dark. It also refused to allow [[DirecTV]] or [[Dish Network]] to pick up C-SET on their local feeds. As a result, Time Warner customers without digital cable, as well as [[western North Carolina]] and most of South Carolina, were left to rely on radio coverage.
C-SET folded on the day of the 2005 NBA Draft, and most games then moved to [[News 14 Carolina]], a cable news channel available on Time Warner Cable's systems in Charlotte, the [[Piedmont Triad|Triad]] and the [[Research Triangle|Triangle]]. However, this still left viewers in most of South Carolina (except for the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area, which saw games on Comporium) as well as [[Eastern North Carolina|eastern]] and western North Carolina, out in the cold. News 14 was also not available on satellite.


C-SET folded on the day of the 2005 NBA draft, and most games then moved to [[News 14 Carolina]], a cable news channel available on Time Warner Cable's systems in Charlotte, the [[Piedmont Triad|Triad]] and the [[Research Triangle|Triangle]]. However, this still left viewers in most of South Carolina (except for the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area, which saw games on Comporium) as well as [[Eastern North Carolina|eastern]] and western North Carolina, out in the cold. News 14 was also not available on satellite.
As part of the Time Warner Cable Arena deal, the Bobcats signed over broadcasting rights to [[Fox Sports South]]. Starting with the last five games of the 2007–08 season, about 70 games per season were shown on [[Fox Sports Carolinas]] (Fox Sports South's new regional feed) and sister network [[SportSouth]] in North and South Carolina. The deal is believed to be the first simultaneous naming rights/broadcast rights deal in the history of North American professional sports.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobcats, Time Warner Cable, Fox Sports Strike Unprecedented Deal |publisher=Charlotte Bobcats |date=April 8, 2008 |accessdate=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/arena_tv_rights_release.html}}</ref> Since the 2008–09 season, all Bobcats games that aren't slated for national broadcast have aired on SportSouth.


As part of the Time Warner Cable Arena deal, the Bobcats signed over broadcasting rights to Fox Sports South. Starting with the last five games of the 2007–08 season, about 70 games per season were shown on Fox Sports Carolinas (Fox Sports South's new regional feed, now reintegrated to [[Bally Sports South]]) and sister network Sportsouth (renamed Fox Sports Southeast in 2015 and later [[Bally Sports Southeast]] in 2021) in North and South Carolina. The deal is believed to be the first simultaneous naming rights and broadcast rights deal in the history of North American professional sports.<ref name="BobcatsTWFS" /> As of the 2020–21 season, Hornets games are carried by Bally Sports Southeast with [[Eric Collins]] and [[Dell Curry]], along with in-game reporter and ''Hornets Live'' host [[Shannon Spake]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ballysports.com/south/news/bally-sports-southeast-to-televise-82-charlotte-hornets-games-for-2021-22-season|title=Bally Sports Southeast to televise all 82 Charlotte Hornets games for 2021-22 NBA season|date=September 22, 2021|website=Ballysports.com|publisher=[[Bally Sports]]|access-date=June 14, 2022|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703195745/https://www.ballysports.com/south/news/bally-sports-southeast-to-televise-82-charlotte-hornets-games-for-2021-22-season|url-status=live}}</ref> Former personnel include: [[Stephanie Ready]], who worked as a sideline reporter and in-game analyst for the Hornets for a decade before moving to [[Turner Sports]] in 2018, and long time Hornets broadcaster [[Steve Martin (sportscaster)|Steve Martin]], who retired after the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-broadcaster-steve-martin-retire-end-2017-18-season|title=Hornets Broadcaster Steve Martin To Retire At End of 2017-18 Season|website=Charlotte Hornets|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304053721/http://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/hornets-broadcaster-steve-martin-retire-end-2017-18-season|url-status=live}}</ref>
For the team's first four seasons, select games also aired on a network of over-the-air stations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, fronted by [[WJZY]] in Charlotte from 2004 to 2006 and [[WMYT-TV]] in Charlotte from 2006 to 2008.


For the team's first four seasons after their return to the league, select games also aired on a network of over-the-air stations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, fronted by WJZY from 2004 to 2006 and WMYT from 2006 to 2008.
The flagship station for radio coverage is [[WFNZ]], Charlotte's all-sports radio station. Before 2009–10, games had aired on [[WOLS]]. WOLS switched its non-sports programming from [[Oldies]] to Spanish language on January 1, 2009, making Bobcats and Duke basketball the station's only non-Spanish language programming.

The team's radio flagship is all-sports station [[WFNZ-FM]]. Before 2010, games had aired on [[WOLS]]. WOLS switched its non-sports programming from [[oldies]] to Spanish language on January 1, 2009, making Bobcats and Duke basketball the station's only non-Spanish language programming. [[WBT (radio station)|WBT]] was the Hornets' radio flagship during the original franchise's entire run.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}

===Citations===
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
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Latest revision as of 16:32, 1 December 2024

Charlotte Hornets
2024–25 Charlotte Hornets season
Charlotte Hornets logo
ConferenceEastern
DivisionSoutheast
Founded1988
HistoryCharlotte Hornets
1988–2002, 2014–present
Charlotte Bobcats
2004–2014[1][2][3]
ArenaSpectrum Center
LocationCharlotte, North Carolina
Team colorsTeal, dark purple, gray, white[4][5][6]
       
Main sponsorNone
PresidentShelly Cayette-Weston
General managerJeff Peterson
Head coachCharles Lee
OwnershipGabe Plotkin & Rick Schnall (majority)[7]
Eric Church, J Cole, and Michael Jordan (minority)[8][9]
Affiliation(s)Greensboro Swarm
Championships0
Conference titles0
Division titles0
Retired numbers1 (13)
Websitewww.nba.com/hornets
Association jersey
Team colours
Association
Icon jersey
Team colours
Icon

The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at the Spectrum Center.

The original Charlotte Hornets franchise was established in 1988 as an expansion team owned by George Shinn. In 2002, Shinn moved the franchise to New Orleans. The team continued to play as the Hornets until 2013, when its name was changed to the New Orleans Pelicans.

As part of an agreement with the NBA, a new team known as the Charlotte Bobcats began competing in the 2004–05 NBA season.[10] On June 15, 2006, Michael Jordan, a former NBA player and member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, acquired a minority stake in the franchise and became its managing member of basketball operations. On February 17, 2010, an ownership group led by Jordan purchased a majority share of the franchise.[11] In 2013, the Bobcats announced they would begin playing under the Charlotte Hornets name in the 2014–15 season.[12][13][14] On the day the name change became official, the franchise reclaimed the history and records of the original Hornets.[15] The Hornets are now retroactively considered as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, while the Pelicans are now considered a 2002 expansion team.

In August 2023, Jordan sold his majority stake in the Hornets to a group of investors led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall.[16][17] He retained a minority share in the ownership of the team.[17]

History

[edit]

1985–1988: Creation of the Hornets

[edit]

In 1985, the NBA was planning to expand by three teams by the 1988–89 season, later modified to include a total of four expansion teams. George Shinn, an entrepreneur from Kannapolis, wanted to bring an NBA team to the Charlotte area, and he assembled a group of prominent local businessmen to head the prospective franchise. The Charlotte area had long been a hotbed for college basketball. Charlotte was also one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States,[18] and was previously one of the three in-state regional homes to the American Basketball Association's (ABA) Carolina Cougars from 1969 to 1974.[19]

Despite doubt from critics,[who?] Shinn's ace in the hole was the Charlotte Coliseum, a state-of-the-art arena that would seat almost 24,000 spectators, the largest basketball-specific arena ever to serve as a full-time home for an NBA team. On April 5, 1987, then-NBA Commissioner David Stern called Shinn to tell him his group had been awarded the 24th NBA franchise, to begin play in 1988. Franchises were also granted to Miami, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, and Orlando.

Originally, the new team was going to be called the Charlotte Spirit,[20] but a name-the-team contest yielded "Hornets" as the winning choice. The name originates from British General Cornwallis, who allegedly described the city as "a hornet's nest of rebellion" following the Battle of Charlotte in 1780, though it was first attested in 1819.[21] The team received further attention when it chose teal as its primary color, setting off a sports fashion craze in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[22] The team's uniforms, designed by international designer and North Carolina native Alexander Julian, featured a first for NBA uniforms—pin stripes.[23] Similar designs by other teams followed, as they became a hit.

Shinn hired Carl Scheer as the team's first President and General Manager.[24] Scheer preferred a roster of veteran players, hoping to put together a competitive team as soon as possible. Former college coach and veteran NBA assistant Dick Harter was hired as the team's first head coach.[25] In 1988, the Hornets and the Miami Heat were part of the 1988 NBA Expansion Draft. Unlike many expansion franchises that invest in the future with a team composed entirely of young players, Charlotte stocked its inaugural roster with several veterans in hopes of putting a competitive lineup on the court right away. The team also had three draft picks at the 1988 NBA draft.[26]

1988–1992: Early seasons

[edit]
Season tickets for the Hornets' inaugural season.

The Hornets' first NBA game took place on November 4, 1988, at the Charlotte Coliseum, losing 133–93 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.[27] Four days later, the team notched its first-ever victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, 117–105.[28] On December 23, 1988, the Hornets beat Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls 103–101 in Jordan's first return to North Carolina as a professional.[29] The Hornets finished their inaugural season with a record of 20–62. Scheer left prior to the 1989–90 season.[30]

Despite initial concerns that the Coliseum was too big, the Hornets were a runaway hit, leading the NBA in attendance, a feat they would achieve seven more times in Charlotte. Eventually, the Hornets would sell out 364 consecutive games.[31]

The Hornets' second season was a struggle from start to finish. Members of the team rebelled against Dick Harter's defense-oriented style, and he was replaced mid-season by assistant Gene Littles following an 8–32 start. Despite the change, the team continued to struggle, finishing the season with a disappointing 19–63 record.[32]

The team showed improvement during the following season. They won eight of their first fifteen games, including a 120–105 victory over the Washington Bullets. However, the team went cold, losing their next eleven games. The Hornets, who hosted the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, finished with a 26–56 record.[33] Despite the team's seven-game improvement over the previous season, Gene Littles was fired at the end of the season and replaced by general manager Allan Bristow.

With the first pick in the 1991 NBA draft, the Hornets drafted power forward Larry Johnson from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.[34] Johnson had an impact season, finishing among the league leaders in points and rebounds, and winning the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.[35] Additionally, Guard Kendall Gill led the club in scoring, averaging over 20 points per game. The team stayed in contention for a playoff spot until March, but finished the year with a 31–51 record.[36]

1992–1995: The Larry Johnson/Alonzo Mourning era

[edit]

The Hornets were in the lottery again in 1992 and won the second overall pick in the draft, using it to select Georgetown center Alonzo Mourning.[37][38] Charlotte now had two 20–10 threats in Johnson and Mourning, who with Kendall Gill, formed perhaps the league's top young trio. The team finished their fifth season at 44–38, their first-ever winning record and good enough for the first playoff berth in franchise history. Finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference, the Hornets upset the Boston Celtics in the first round, with Mourning winning the series with a 20-footer in game four.[39] However, the Hornets lacked the experience and depth to defeat the New York Knicks, falling in five games in the second round.[40]

The Hornets finished the 1993–94 season with a 41–41 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. Despite injuries to both Johnson and Mourning, the two led the team in points-per-game.[41]

In the 1994–95 season, the Hornets finished with a 50–32 record, returning to the playoffs.[42] Johnson and Mourning again led the team in points-per-game, while also leading the club in rebounding. However, Charlotte was bounced from the playoffs in the first round, falling to the Chicago Bulls in four games.[43] Following the season, the Hornets traded Mourning to the Miami Heat for forward Glen Rice, center Matt Geiger, and guard Khalid Reeves.[44]

1995–1998: The Glen Rice era

[edit]

Glen Rice would make an immediate impact after joining the Hornets, leading the team in scoring and points-per-game during the 1995–96 season. While Rice and Johnson provided high-powered scoring, Geiger tied with Johnson for the team lead in rebounds, and All-Star guard Kenny Anderson ran the point for the injured Muggsy Bogues. The Hornets were competitive but failed to qualify for the playoffs, again finishing with a 41–41 record. Allan Bristow resigned at the end of the season, and was replaced by Dave Cowens.[45]

The 1996 off-season was again marked by vast changes: Anderson declined to re-sign, Johnson was shipped to the Knicks for power forward Anthony Mason, and the team made a trade on draft day 1996, acquiring center Vlade Divac from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for the rights to rookie and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, whom the Hornets picked 13th overall.[46] The new-look Hornets were successful, with Divac and Geiger providing the center combination, Mason averaging a double-double, Bogues back at the point, and Rice having the finest season of his career. The team achieved the best season in its history at the time, finishing 54–28, and making it back to the playoffs.[47] Despite the success during the regular season, the Hornets went down rather meekly to the Knicks in three games.

The 1997–98 season was also successful. Muggsy Bogues was traded two games into the season, and the team picked up point guard David Wesley and shooting guard Bobby Phills.[48] With Wesley, Phills, Rice, Mason, and Divac, the Hornets romped through the regular season, finishing with a 51–31 record.[49] The Hornets made it to back-to-back playoffs for the first time in franchise history, advancing to the second round, only to be stopped by the Bulls.

1998–2002: Final years of original personnel

[edit]
Players warming up prior to an April 2000 game between the Hornets and the Indiana Pacers at the Charlotte Coliseum

The 1998–99 season was shortened. The season did not start until February, as the lockout shortened the regular season to only 50 games. Additionally, Glen Rice was traded to the Lakers for Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell, and Dave Cowens resigned midway through the season.[50] He was replaced by former Celtics teammate Paul Silas, who became the team's fifth head coach.[51] The team finished with a 26–24 record, but failed to qualify for the playoffs.

The next three seasons (1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02) saw the Hornets in the playoffs each year, reaching the conference semifinals twice. Before the Hornets were eliminated from the 2002 playoffs, the NBA approved a deal for the team to move to New Orleans following the 2002–03 season. The move came mainly because attendance tailed off dramatically, reportedly due to Shinn's declining popularity in the city.[52][53][54]

2004–2014: Charlotte Bobcats

[edit]

Shortly after the relocation of the team to New Orleans, as part of the deal with the city of Charlotte, as well as to avoid a Cleveland Browns–like lawsuit, the NBA opened itself to the possibility of adding a replacement team in Charlotte for the 2004–05 season, provided that an arena deal could be reached.[55] Several ownership groups, including one led by former Boston Celtics star Larry Bird, made bids for the franchise.[56] On December 18, 2002, a group led by BET founder Robert L. Johnson was awarded the franchise,[57] allowing him to become the first African American majority owner in U.S. major professional sports since the Negro leagues.[58] The franchise with Johnson as its owner was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on January 10, 2003.[59] Hip-hop artist Nelly became a notable co-owner.[60] The owners paid a $300 million expansion fee to enter the league.[61]

In June 2003, the team name was officially announced as the Bobcats.[62] The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission aided the naming process with a "Help Name The Team" effort that drew over 1,250 suggestions, with 'Flight' being the winner. However, it was discarded by Johnson and the team involved in creating the team's identity, being considered abstract and reminiscent of the then-current Iraq War aerial strikes.[63] Given Charlotte was already home to a cat-named team, the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, designer Chris Weiller made sure to create a logo that would not be similar to the Panthers logo.[63] It has also been speculated that Johnson chose the name "Bobcats" in reference to his own name.[64][65]

The Bobcats hired Bernie Bickerstaff as the first head coach and general manager in franchise history.[66] A new arena to host the Bobcats in uptown Charlotte began construction in July 2003. The team would play its home games at the Coliseum until the new building was ready.

2004–2010: Return to Charlotte

[edit]
The Bobcats versus the Dallas Mavericks on November 11, 2005.

The Bobcats held their expansion draft on June 22, 2004, picking up youngsters such as Gerald Wallace, Primož Brezec, and Jason Kapono. Shortly after, they traded with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire the second pick in the 2004 NBA draft, which they used to select center Emeka Okafor from Connecticut. The Bobcats' inaugural game, and the first of their 2004–05 season took place on November 4 at the Charlotte Coliseum, and was a 103–96 loss to the Washington Wizards.[67] Two days later, they won their first game in franchise history over the Orlando Magic, 111–100.[68] On December 14, the Bobcats beat the New Orleans Hornets in overtime in the team's first trip to Charlotte since relocating.[69] The Bobcats finished their inaugural season 18–64.[70] Emeka Okafor, however, won the 2004–05 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.[71]

In the 2005 NBA draft, the Bobcats drafted Raymond Felton and Sean May from North Carolina.[72] In their second season, the Bobcats opened Charlotte Bobcats Arena with an overtime victory over the Celtics. Despite struggling for most of the year, they managed to close out the season with four straight wins to finish with a record of 26–56, an eight-game improvement from the previous season. After the season, the Bobcats announced that NBA legend and North Carolina native Michael Jordan had bought a minority stake in the team. As part of the deal, he became head of basketball operations, though Bickerstaff remained general manager.[73]

The Bobcats showed some improvement during the 2006–07 season, posting a playoff-hopeful record of 22–33 late in February 2007. However, the team went through an eight-game losing streak and dropped their record to 22–41 by early March 2007. Following the slump, Jordan announced that Bickerstaff would not return to coach the following season, but would finish coaching the remainder of the 2006–07 season.[66] The Bobcats won 11 of their last 19 games of Bickerstaff's tenure to finish their third season 33–49. On June 3, 2007, Charlotte Coliseum was demolished, marking a bitter end to the original Hornets era as it was the home of Charlotte's original NBA franchise. The arena was only 19 years old, owned by the city of Charlotte, but was already considered outdated because of a lack of luxury boxes and suites. The arena was designed for college basketball as part of Charlotte's push to maintain their presence in the ACC basketball tournament rotation.[74]

Front office and coaching were key focuses for the Bobcats during the 2007 off-season. Rod Higgins was hired as general manager,[75] and Sam Vincent was hired as the second head coach in franchise history.[76] In the 2007 NBA draft, Brandan Wright was selected by the Bobcats with the eighth pick; he was subsequently traded to Golden State for Jason Richardson. The Bobcats were unable to capitalize on off-season moves, finishing the 2007–08 season with a 32–50 record. The team struggled amid rumors of players clashing with the coach.[77] After a year, during which he struggled with personnel decisions, Sam Vincent was fired in April 2008.[78]

Michael Jordan acquired the Bobcats in 2010.

On April 29, 2008, the Bobcats reached an agreement to hire Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Brown as the third head coach in franchise history.[79] In the 2008 NBA draft, the Bobcats selected D. J. Augustin from Texas ninth overall. On December 10, 2008, a little over a month into the season, the Bobcats obtained Boris Diaw and Raja Bell in a trade with Phoenix. The trade turned out to be successful as the team came close to reaching the franchise's first playoff berth, but finished four games out of eighth place with a record of 35–47. Following the season, majority owner Bob Johnson announced he was putting the team up for sale.[80]

During the off-season, the team picked Gerald Henderson from Duke 12th overall in the 2009 NBA draft. The Bobcats traded Emeka Okafor for New Orleans Hornets' center Tyson Chandler, and through more trades acquired Stephen Jackson and Acie Law from the Golden State Warriors.[81] On February 27, 2010, it was announced that Johnson had decided to sell the team to Jordan, allowing Jordan to become the first former NBA player to become majority owner of a franchise.[82]

On April 9, 2010, the Bobcats clinched their first playoff berth since 2002 with a 104–103 road win over the New Orleans Hornets,[83] finishing the 2009–10 season with an overall record of 44–38, their first-ever winning season. Gerald Wallace was a huge factor in the playoff run as he became the Bobcats' first and only NBA All-Star. However, the Bobcats were swept by the Orlando Magic in four games.[84]

2010–2014: Final years of the Bobcats

[edit]

Despite the departures of Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler, the Bobcats hoped to make the playoffs for a second straight season. Following a dismal 9–19 start, Jordan announced that Larry Brown had stepped down as head coach.[85] Paul Silas was hired as their new head coach the same day.[86] The Bobcats sent Wallace to the Portland Trail Blazers and received two first-round draft picks, Joel Przybilla, Sean Marks, and Dante Cunningham, also acquiring D. J. White and Morris Peterson in a trade with the Thunder.[87] Going down the stretch, injuries to both Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas derailed any chances of Charlotte trying to catch the Indiana Pacers for the eighth spot in the east. In the end, the Bobcats finished the season with a 34–48 record overall, finishing 25–29 under Silas.

The Bobcats selected Kemba Walker as the 9th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.

On June 13, 2011, the Bobcats made some changes to their front office by hiring former Trail Blazers general manager Rich Cho to the same position and promoting Rod Higgins to President of Basketball Operations.[88] During the 2011 NBA draft the Bobcats sent Jackson, Shaun Livingston, and the 19th pick to Milwaukee and received Corey Maggette and the 7th pick in return. The Bobcats used that pick to draft Bismack Biyombo and with their 9th pick drafted Connecticut's Kemba Walker, the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player.[89]

In the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Charlotte lost often, including their last 23 games. During their season finale against the New York Knicks, the Bobcats recorded yet another loss as their win percentage dropped to .106, setting a new record for the worst season ever by an NBA team (as this season was shortened by the lockout, the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers still hold the record for most losses in a season with 73). Overall, the team's record was 7–59. On April 30, 2012, the Bobcats announced that Silas would not return as head coach.[90] St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap was named as his successor.[91]

Despite finishing the season with the worst record in NBA history, the Bobcats received the second overall pick.[92] With the second pick in the 2012 NBA draft, the Bobcats selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and selected Jeffery Taylor with the 31st pick.[93] They also added Ben Gordon, Ramon Sessions and Brendan Haywood in free agency. The Bobcats won their first game against the Pacers, snapping their 23-game losing streak. The team seemed to rebound with a 7–5 start to the season. However, they promptly went on an 18-game losing streak from which they never recovered, snapping the streak with a win at Chicago. Charlotte finished 21–61, the second-worst record in the league.[94] Dunlap was fired on April 23, reportedly because the players were turned off by his heavy-handed coaching style. He would be replaced by former Los Angeles Lakers assistant head coach Steve Clifford.

During the 2013 NBA draft, the Bobcats selected power forward/center Cody Zeller 4th overall.[95] The Bobcats would also obtain former Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson in free agency.[96] In February 2014, the team received Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour in a trade with the Bucks. The new players and coaching staff worked as the Bobcats clinched a playoff berth for the second time in franchise history by beating Cleveland on the road. Charlotte finished the regular season 43–39.[97] However, the Bobcats were swept in four games by defending champion Miami in the first round.[98]

2014–2020: Rise of Kemba Walker

[edit]

Return of the Hornets

[edit]

On May 21, 2013, Jordan officially announced the organization had submitted an application to change the name of the franchise to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014–15 NBA season, pending a majority vote for approval by the NBA Board of Governors at a meeting in Las Vegas on July 18, 2013.[99] The NBA announced, on July 18, 2013, that it had unanimously approved the rebranding, which would begin upon the conclusion of the 2013–14 season.[100]

The Bobcats announced on November 22, they would adopt a modified version of the original Hornets' teal-purple-white color palette, with black, gray and Carolina blue as accents.[101][102] The team officially unveiled its future logo and identity scheme during halftime of their December 21 game against the Jazz.[103] The team also started the "Buzz City" campaign to hype up the Hornets return.[104] On January 16, 2014, the Bobcats revealed new Hornets shirts, hats and gear.[105]

On May 20, 2014, the Bobcats officially became the second incarnation of the Charlotte Hornets. At a press conference regarding the change, team officials also announced that as part of a deal with the NBA and the renamed New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte acquired the history and records of the 1988–2002 Hornets (in a move similar to that of the National Football League's Cleveland Browns return to the league in 1999), while all of the Hornets' records during their time in New Orleans from 2002 to 2013 remained with the Pelicans.[1][106][107] The Hornets are now retconned as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, while the Pelicans are considered a 2002 expansion team. Charlotte had already been using past footage of the original Hornets as part of the "Buzz City" campaign.

2014–2019: Playoffs and struggles

[edit]

In the 2014 NBA draft, the Hornets had the 9th overall pick from an earlier trade with the Detroit Pistons, which they used to select Noah Vonleh from Indiana.[108] In the same draft they acquired UConn Husky Shabazz Napier, Dwight Powell from Stanford, and Semaj Christon from Xavier in the second round. They later traded Napier to the Heat for P. J. Hairston (formerly from UNC), the rights to the 55th pick, Miami's 2019 second-round pick and cash considerations.[109] The team also picked up Scotty Hopson (whom they would trade to New Orleans) and cash considerations in free agency.

During their first year of free agency as the Hornets, the team signed former Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson. The Hornets also signed former Jazz and Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams to a two-year deal.[110] A mostly difficult year led to a 33–49 record overall and a 4th-place finish in the division.[111] Stephenson was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes who was later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Courtney Lee.[112]

The following year, the team improved to 48–34 overall, following the acquisition of players such as Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lamb, and Jeremy Lin.[113] It was the best season in franchise history since the original Hornets era. Charlotte returned to the playoffs, where they lost to the Heat in seven games in the first round.[114] Along the way, they defeated the Heat twice at Time Warner Cable Arena, the franchise's first playoff wins since the original Hornets era.

In the off-season, Jeremy Lin would go to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, Al Jefferson to the Indiana Pacers, and Courtney Lee to the New York Knicks, but the Hornets were able to re-sign Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams, as well as bring in former All-star Roy Hibbert, Marco Belinelli and Ramon Sessions for a second stint.[115][116] Hibbert would be traded mid-season to the Milwaukee Bucks with Spencer Hawes for center Miles Plumlee. Kemba Walker was named an Eastern Conference All-star as a reserve, the first all-star game of his career. The Hornets would finish the season with a 36–46 record, missing out on the playoffs.

The Hornets selected Malik Monk as the 11th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

The Hornets had a successful 2017 off-season. They shipped Plumlee and Belinelli and the 41st pick in the 2017 NBA draft to the Atlanta Hawks for former All-star Dwight Howard and the 31st pick in the 2017 draft.[117] The trade reunited Howard with head coach Steve Clifford, both of whom worked together during Howard's time in Orlando and Los Angeles.[118] In the draft, Charlotte selected Malik Monk with the 11th overall pick, as well as Frank Jackson with the 31st pick.[119] They then sent Jackson to New Orleans for cash considerations and swing-man Dwayne Bacon who was drafted 40th overall. Sessions signed with the New York Knicks, and, to replace the backup guard, they brought in former rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams from the Chicago Bulls.[120]

In the 2017–18 season Kemba Walker was selected for his second NBA All-Star appearance and passed Dell Curry for most three-pointers and the all-time leading scorer. At the end of the 2017–18 season, the Hornets did not renew the contract of general manager Rich Cho. In April 2018, Mitch Kupchak was named as the new president of basketball operations and general manager.[121] On April 13, 2018, the Hornets fired head coach Steve Clifford after five seasons, who coached the team to a 196–214 record total,[122] and named James Borrego as his replacement on May 10.[123]

On July 23, 2018, Tony Parker, who spent the previous 17 years of his career with the San Antonio Spurs, signed with the Hornets.[124] In January 2019 Kemba Walker was named an All-Star Game starter for the Eastern Conference, his first starting role in an All-Star Game, and matched only Glen Rice for his third All-Star Game appearance in his Hornets career.[125] During the 2018–19 season, Charlotte finished the season with a 39–43 record finishing 2nd in the division and 9th in the Eastern Conference.

On June 20, 2019, the Hornets selected P. J. Washington with the twelfth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.[126]

On July 6, 2019, Kemba Walker joined the Boston Celtics through a sign-and-trade deal with the Hornets.[127]

2020–present: The LaMelo Ball era

[edit]
The Hornets selected LaMelo Ball as the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

On November 18, 2020, the Hornets selected LaMelo Ball with the third overall pick.[128] The Hornets also drafted Vernon Carey Jr. and Grant Riller in the second round of the 2020 NBA draft.[129] On November 29, 2020, the Hornets would acquire Gordon Hayward in a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics.[130] The Hornets finished the 2020–21 season 10th in the East with a 33–39 overall record.[131] On June 16, 2021, Ball was named 2020–21 NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the third player in franchise history to win the award.[132]

On February 7, 2022, Ball was named to his first NBA All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Kevin Durant.[133] The Hornets would clinch a spot in the play-in tournament for the second consecutive time although losing to fellow Southeast division foe the Atlanta Hawks 132–103.[134] On April 22, 2022, the Hornets fired head coach James Borrego after four seasons with the team.[135][136] The team finished the 2021–2022 season with a 43–39 overall record.[137]

On June 24, 2022, the Hornets named Steve Clifford as new head coach marking his second stint as the team's head coach.[138] During the off-season, notable additions included drafting Duke center Mark Williams with the 15th pick of the 2022 NBA draft and the free agent signing of point guard and North Carolina native Dennis Smith Jr.[139][140]

During the 2022–23 NBA season, the Hornets endured injuries to a majority of the roster, leading to a poor season which ended with a 27–55 record, the fourth worst in the league. Lamelo Ball only played 36 games. However, Mark Williams proved his immense potential.[141]

Courtesy of their poor finish, the Hornets won the second overall pick which they used to select Brandon Miller in the 2023 NBA draft.[142][143][144]

On June 16, 2023, Jordan announced he was selling his majority stake in the team to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall.[145] The transaction, sold at $3 billion, was approved by the NBA on July 23, 2023.[146]

On April 3, 2024 Steve Clifford announced he would step into an advisor role following a 21–61 season. He finished as the Hornets all time win leader.[147] On May 9, 2024, Celtics assistant Charles Lee was announced as his successor, receiving a 4-year deal.[148]

Brandon Miller had a successful rookie season, averaging 17 points per game and finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting despite a strong rookie class.[149] Lamelo Ball once again struggled with injury, only playing 22 games and Terry Rozier was dealt to Miami at the trade deadline for a pick and veteran guard Kyle Lowry.[150] Another addition was Grant Williams from the Dallas Mavericks, acquired in a trade for PJ Washington.[151] Gordon Hayward was also dealt away. After the season, former player Kemba Walker was hired to be assistant coach.

Logos and uniforms

[edit]
Charlotte Hornets wordmark logo

Logos

[edit]

The Hornets' first logo was a teal and purple anthropomorphic hornet wearing white shoes and gloves dribbling an orange basketball. The words 'Charlotte Hornets' were in teal and curved across the top and bottom of the logo. An alternate logo, used only for the 1988–89 season, featured a large teal letter 'C', with 'Charlotte' in black letters curved upwards underneath. Inside the 'C' was a smaller white letter 'H' outlined in teal, with a black-colored hornet holding a basketball from birds-eye view placed in the center.

The Bobcats' primary logo from 2004 to 2012 consisted of a snarling orange bobcat facing to the right with the indented name 'Bobcats' above in silver on a blue background, with 'Charlotte' (also indented) appearing above it in the same blue color. A change to a less vibrant orange and blue, while retaining the same look, was made in 2007. Further color changes in 2012 made the bobcat gray, extended the blue background up to the 'Charlotte' name, which changed from blue to orange. A Carolina blue outline around the entire logo was also added. In 2007 the Bobcats unveiled a secondary logo, consisting of a snarling bobcat head facing forward with one side shaded orange, and the other blue. A silver basketball was placed behind the right of the head, all encased in an orange-blue-gray circle. During the 2012 rebranding, the colors were changed, with gray and Carolina blue replacing orange on the head and circle outline, respectively, and the basketball changing to orange. This logo would become prominent in the team's marketing and be featured at center court from 2007–08 until 2013–14.

Charlotte's second Hornets logo features a teal and purple forward-facing hornet with the words 'Charlotte Hornets' on its torso. Wings sprout up above the head on both left and right, with teal and purple details. The hornet's stinger is prominently featured; a basketball pattern is above the stinger. Gray fully outlines the logo.[103] Among the team's different secondary logos includes a hornet facing to the side, its teal and purple body arched in a 'C' shape representing the city of Charlotte, and a modified version of the Hornets original logo (sans the basketball) as the official mascot logo.[103]

Uniforms

[edit]

Original Hornets

[edit]

The original Hornets uniforms were designed by international designer and North Carolina native Alexander Julian. The team chose teal and purple as its primary colors and featured a first for NBA uniforms—pinstripes. While most teams feature team names on home jerseys and their home city on away jerseys, the Hornets' uniforms had "Charlotte" on both home and away jerseys. Home uniforms were white with pinstripes in teal, green, blue and purple, while the away jerseys were teal with pinstripes in white, green, blue and purple.

In 1994, the Hornets unveiled a purple alternate uniform, with pinstripes in white, green, blue and teal. Likewise, Hugo was featured in the beltline.

From 1997 to 2002, the Hornets made slight changes to their uniforms. Hugo was moved from the beltline to the left leg, while side stripes with pinstripes were added, in purple (away) and teal (home) colors. A tricolor featuring teal, purple and blue was featured on the beltline and the piping.

Bobcats

[edit]
Bobcats uniform design from 2012 to 2014

The Bobcats' first home jerseys were white, reading "Bobcats" in orange with blue and black trimming. The primary away jersey was orange reading "Charlotte" in white with blue and black trimming.[152] In the 2006 off-season, the Bobcats announced a new alternate away jersey which debuted during the 2006–07 season. The alternate jersey is blue, with the name "Bobcats" in white with black, orange and white trimming.[153] Racing Day blue alternates (with an arched 'Charlotte', checkered flag side stripes, and centered numbers) were used to honor Charlotte's NASCAR fanbase.

For the 2009–10 season, the Bobcats sported redesigned uniforms, having a mixture of characteristics from both Hornets and Bobcats uniforms. The home uniforms were white and featured an arched "Bobcats" in blue with orange and white trim. Road uniforms were blue and featured an arched "Charlotte" in white with blue and orange trim. Both designs featured silver pinstripes, similar to what the Hornets wore. The NASCAR uniform was also updated to include the pinstripes. For the 2011–12 season, however, the Bobcats wore their home uniforms on NASCAR night, complete with a racing flag patch.

The Bobcats unveiled Hardwood Classics uniforms honoring the American Basketball Association (ABA)'s Carolina Cougars, which the team wore for select games in 2012.[154]

The Bobcats unveiled new uniforms on June 19, 2012, their second and final change in five years. Overall, they featured less emphasis on orange. The white home uniforms sported the shorter nickname 'Cats' in navy and Carolina blue trim, while the numbers were in Carolina blue and navy trim, with navy side stripes. The navy away uniforms featured 'Charlotte' in white and Carolina blue trim, with the numbers featured the same trim as the city name, with Carolina blue side stripes. In both uniforms, the pinstripes were relegated to the sides. The uniforms bore a close resemblance to the Dallas Mavericks uniforms. The addition of Carolina blue was seen as way to connect owner Michael Jordan's collegiate roots, while the formal adoption of 'Cats' for marketing purposes reflected a popular nickname.[155]

Cody Zeller in 2016, wearing revived Hornets uniform design with teal and dark purple

Revived Hornets

[edit]

The newly renamed Hornets unveiled the team's uniforms on June 19, 2014, consisting of white home and purple road uniforms with the "Hornets" wordmark across the chest. The team also unveiled a teal alternate uniform with the "Charlotte" wordmark across the chest. The teal uniform is planned to be used as an alternate uniform for either home or road games and worn a total of 16–20 times per season.[156]

On June 25, 2015, the Hornets unveiled a black sleeved alternate uniform, featuring their "Buzz City" nickname in front. The team wore the uniform for as many as six games during the 2015–16 NBA season.[157] It was also worn during select games of the 2016 NBA playoffs.

For the 2017–18 season and beyond, the Hornets have been outfitted by Nike's Air Jordan brand endorsed by franchise owner Michael Jordan. The white "Association" uniform and the teal "Icon" uniform feature the "Hornets" wordmark in front and the silhouetted hornet on the waistband.[158] The purple "Statement" uniform is similar to the "Icon" and "Association" uniforms, but feature the "Charlotte" wordmark in front.[159]

The Hornets revamped their purple "Statement" uniforms prior to the 2019–20 season. The front of the uniform featured the "CHA" acronym in bold white letters with teal trim, while teal "stinger" stripes accentuate the sides. The silhouetted Hornets logo was moved to the sides of the shorts while the partial logo was placed on the beltline.[160]

On August 31, 2020, the Hornets unveiled new uniforms that include double pinstriped jerseys that pay homage to the jerseys worn from 1997 until 2002. These are the first Hornets regular jerseys to include pinstripes since they wore them as the Bobcats from 2009 to 2012.[4]

Before the 2022–23 season, the Hornets again made slight changes to the purple "Statement" uniform. The uniform brought back the "Hornets" wordmark in front along with white numbers and teal cell accents on each side. The "C" alternate logo was added on the beltline and the alternate "curled hornet" logo was placed below the teal cells on the shorts.[161]

The Hornets' "City" uniforms were slight updates of Adidas' sleeved "Buzz City" uniforms. The 2017–18 version featured black letters with white trim on a black base and the sides featured a wing pattern of a hornet.[162] The 2018–19 version was slightly tweaked to feature teal lettering and a new logo reminiscent of the original Air Jordan "Wings" logo.[163]

The "City" uniform for the 2019–20 season moved away from the "Buzz City" concept and went with a cool grey base, purple, teal and black piping, "CHA" acronym in purple and white numbers with purple trim. A cell pattern adorned the sides.[164][165]

Charlotte's "City" uniform for the 2020–21 season paid homage to the city's history as the first to house a U.S. Branch Mint and the Carolina Gold Rush. The base color is mint and letters and numbers are in granite black with metallic gold trim. Pinstripes are in gold. It also brought back the "Buzz City" crest in front.[166] This theme was then revisited in their 2022–23 "City" uniform, this in granite black with "CLT" (Charlotte's main abbreviation) in gold with mint trim. Pinstripes alternate between gold and mint.[167]

For the 2021–22 season, the Hornets' "City" uniform visually mixed various elements from previous identities. The cursive "Charlotte" wordmark was inspired by the banners displayed during the franchise's 1988 uniform unveiling. The number placement on the left chest was reminiscent of the Bobcats' original uniforms. The purple cells recalled the court design used at the Charlotte Coliseum, and the teal gradient contained pinstripes, reminiscent of the uniforms worn from 1988 to 1997. The original "Hugo" logo was placed on the left leg, and the script "Hornets" wordmark was added to the right leg. Along the jock tag the Hornets added the "EST. 1988" sign acknowledging the team's inaugural year.[168]

In the 2023–24 season, the Hornets mixed both the "Buzz City" and Charlotte Mint themes for their "City" uniform. The design is a teal base with gold trim and mint side panels, with "Buzz City" in white with gold trim emblazoned in front.[169] The mint theme was revisited anew in the 2024–25 "City" uniform, this time using the white "Association" uniform as the basis of the design.[170]

The "Classic" edition featured a revival of the original Hornets pinstriped uniforms in the current Nike template. The teal version was used in the 2017–18 season,[171] followed by a white version in 2018–19, complete with an alternate court marking the 30th anniversary of NBA basketball in Charlotte.[172] For 2019–20, the Hornets wore purple versions of the pinstriped uniforms to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the uniform's unveiling.[173] For the 35th anniversary season in 2023–24, the Hornets wore the throwback double pinstriped teal uniforms with purple side stripes, which they wore from 1997 to 2002. However, the Classic Edition court was not used with the uniform.[174]

Season-by-season record

[edit]

List of the last five seasons completed by the Hornets. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Charlotte Hornets seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Season GP W L W–L% Finish Playoffs
2019–20 65 23 42 .354 4th, Southeast Did not qualify
2020–21 72 33 39 .458 4th, Southeast Did not qualify
2021–22 82 43 39 .524 3rd, Southeast Did not qualify
2022–23 82 27 55 .329 5th, Southeast Did not qualify
2023–24 82 21 61 .256 4th, Southeast Did not qualify

Arenas

[edit]

The Hornets played their first 15 seasons at the Charlotte Coliseum, which was called "The Hive" by fans. With over 23,000 seats, it was (and still remains) the largest basketball-specific venue in the league by seating capacity. The Coliseum hosted 371 consecutive NBA sell-outs (including seven playoff games) from December 1988 to November 1997.[177] The Hornets would go on to lead the NBA in attendance in eight of its first nine seasons. When Charlotte returned to the NBA as the Bobcats, they temporarily played in the Coliseum in the 2004–05 season while their new arena (the Charlotte Bobcats Arena) was being built. After its completion, the city closed the old Coliseum in the 2005 off-season and opened the new arena with a Rolling Stones concert. In April 2008, the Bobcats reached a naming rights deal with Time Warner Cable, North Carolina's largest cable television provider. In exchange for the naming rights, Time Warner agreed to tear up the cable television deal that had limited the Bobcats' exposure over the team's first four years (see below).[178][179] When the Hornets returned to Charlotte, "The Hive" nickname also returned to the arena. In August 2016, the arena was renamed the Spectrum Center after Time Warner's merger with Charter Communications and its Spectrum consumer/business branding.[180]

The Hornets practice at the Novant Health Training Center, located within the Spectrum Center. Previously the team practiced at the Grady Cole Center in the Elizabeth neighborhood before moving to a purpose-built facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina located beside Knights Castle; this facility is now known as The Pointe Arts and Recreation Center.

Personnel

[edit]

Current roster

[edit]
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 1 Ball, LaMelo 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-08-22 SPIRE Academy (OH)
F 0 Bridges, Miles 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1998-03-21 Michigan State
G 30 Curry, Seth 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1990-08-23 Duke
C 14 Diabaté, Moussa (TW) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2002-01-21 Michigan
F/C 67 Gibson, Taj 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1985-06-24 USC
G/F 10 Green, Josh 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-11-16 Arizona
G/F 3 Jeffries, DaQuan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 1997-08-30 Tulsa
G 23 Mann, Tre 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-02-03 Florida
F 11 Martin, Cody 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1995-09-28 Nevada
G 22 Micić, Vasilije 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 1994-01-13 Serbia
G/F 24 Miller, Brandon 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-11-22 Alabama
C 4 Richards, Nick 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1997-11-29 Kentucky
F 31 Salaün, Tidjane 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 2005-08-10 France
G 25 Simpson, KJ (TW) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-08 Colorado
G 8 Smith, Nick Jr. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-04-18 Arkansas
F 2 Williams, Grant Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 236 lb (107 kg) 1998-11-30 Tennessee
C 5 Williams, Mark Injured 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 2001-12-16 Duke
G 21 Wong, Isaiah (TW) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-01-28 Miami (FL)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: December 2, 2024

Retained draft rights

[edit]

The Hornets hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player is ostensibly either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends.[181] This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams.

Draft Round Pick Player Pos. Nationality Current team Note(s) Ref
2015 2 51 Tyler Harvey G  United States Illawarra Hawks (Australia) Acquired from the Orlando Magic (via Memphis) [182]

Head coaches

[edit]

Franchise records, awards and honors

[edit]

Franchise leaders

[edit]

Bold denotes still active with team. Italic denotes still active but not with team.

Regular season (as of the end of the 2023–24 season)

Most points scored
Player Points
Kemba Walker 12,009[183]
Dell Curry 9,839[184]
Gerald Wallace 7,437[185]
Larry Johnson 7,405[186]
Terry Rozier 5,974[187]
Most rebounds
Player Rebounds
Emeka Okafor 3,516[188]
Larry Johnson 3,479[186]
Gerald Wallace 3,398
Cody Zeller 2,824
Bismack Biyombo 2,625[189]
Most assists
Player Assists
Muggsy Bogues 5,557
Kemba Walker 3,308
Raymond Felton 2,573[190]
David Wesley 1,911
Baron Davis 1,605[191]
Most minutes played
Player Minutes
Kemba Walker 20,607
Muggsy Bogues 19,768
Dell Curry 17,613
Gerald Wallace 16,718
Larry Johnson 14,635
Most steals
Player Steals
Muggsy Bogues 1,067
Gerald Wallace 827
Kemba Walker 799
Dell Curry 747
Raymond Felton 565
Most blocks
Player Blocks
Alonzo Mourning 684
Emeka Okafor 621
Bismack Biyombo 607
Gerald Wallace 531
Elden Campbell 484

Individual awards

[edit]

NBA All-Star Weekend

[edit]

Retired numbers

[edit]
Charlotte Hornets retired numbers
No. Player Position Tenure Date
13 Bobby Phills G 1997–2000 February 9, 2000
  • The Charlotte Hornets retired Phills' number on February 9, 2000, after his death in an automobile accident in Charlotte. His jersey hung from the rafters of the Charlotte Coliseum until the franchise relocated in May 2002; it was then displayed in the New Orleans Arena until 2013. On November 1, 2014, Phills' jersey was returned to Charlotte, where it was re-honored and currently hangs in the Spectrum Center.[211][212][213]
  • The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.[214][215]

Basketball Hall of Famers

[edit]
Charlotte Hornets Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
00 Robert Parish[216] C 1994–1996 2003
33 Alonzo Mourning[217] C/F 1992–1995 2014
12 Vlade Divac[218] C 1996–1998 2019
9 Tony Parker G 2018–2019 2023
Coaches
Name Position Tenure Inducted
Larry Brown[219] Head coach 2008–2010 2002

FIBA Hall of Famers

[edit]
Charlotte Hornets Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
12 Vlade Divac C 1996–1998 2010
33 Alonzo Mourning C/F 1992–1995 2019

Mascot and cheerleaders

[edit]
Hugo the Hornet in 2008

Hugo The Hornet is the current mascot of the franchise. Shortly after the news that Charlotte would get the Hornets name back, at halftime of a December 21, 2013, game between Charlotte and the Utah Jazz, Hugo was announced to return as the Charlotte Hornets' new mascot for the 2014–15 NBA season.[103]

From 2004 to 2014, Rufus D. Lynx was the mascot of the Bobcats.[220][221] He first appeared on November 1, 2003, according to his official bio on the Bobcats' website. The name comes from the scientific name of the bobcat, which is Lynx rufus. During the 2012 NBA All-Star Jam Session, Rufus D. Lynx broke a world record along with Coyote, Grizz, Hooper, and Sly the Silver Fox for most "between the legs" basketball dunks.[222][223] Bleacher Report ranked Rufus as the 8th best mascot in the NBA.[224] Rufus D. Lynx is featured in NBA Jam 2010.[225] Rufus D. Lynx was officially retired following the conclusion of the 2013–14 NBA season, and the Hornets made him a farewell video in May 2014.[226] The updated Hugo was unveiled on an around the city tour on June 5, 2014.[227]

The Hornets have an official cheerleading squad known as the Charlotte Honey Bees. The Honey Bees perform sideline dances as well as center-court dances during games. They also represent the Hornets brand as ambassadors to the community and are involved in community service activities and charity functions. When the team was known as the Bobcats, the cheerleaders were called the Lady Cats.[228]

Media coverage

[edit]

From 1988 to 1992, the Hornets aired most road games, and occasional home games, on a network of stations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia fronted by WCCB in Charlotte. WCCB's longtime owner, Cy Bahakel, was a minority partner in the Hornets' original ownership group. Starting with the 1990–91 season, several games also aired on the original SportSouth, forerunner of Bally Sports South, for customers in North and South Carolina. WJZY became the Hornets' over-the-air flagship in 1992, and remained as such until 1998. From 1995 to 1998, some games aired on WJZY's sister station, WFVT-TV (now WMYT-TV). WAXN-TV became the flagship for the 1998–99 season, and remained as such until the original team departed in 2002. Generally, most home games slated for telecast aired on SportSouth/Fox Sports South.[229]

When the team returned as the Bobcats in 2004, Johnson partnered with Time Warner to create Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television (C-SET), a regional sports network. It aired 60 Bobcats games that also aired on Comporium Cable in the South Carolina portion of the Charlotte market. However, Time Warner placed C-SET on its digital package as an incentive to try to get customers to switch to its digital service, leaving analog customers in the dark. It also refused to allow DirecTV or Dish Network to pick up C-SET on their local feeds. As a result, Time Warner customers without digital cable, as well as western North Carolina and most of South Carolina, were left to rely on radio coverage.

C-SET folded on the day of the 2005 NBA draft, and most games then moved to News 14 Carolina, a cable news channel available on Time Warner Cable's systems in Charlotte, the Triad and the Triangle. However, this still left viewers in most of South Carolina (except for the South Carolina side of the Charlotte area, which saw games on Comporium) as well as eastern and western North Carolina, out in the cold. News 14 was also not available on satellite.

As part of the Time Warner Cable Arena deal, the Bobcats signed over broadcasting rights to Fox Sports South. Starting with the last five games of the 2007–08 season, about 70 games per season were shown on Fox Sports Carolinas (Fox Sports South's new regional feed, now reintegrated to Bally Sports South) and sister network Sportsouth (renamed Fox Sports Southeast in 2015 and later Bally Sports Southeast in 2021) in North and South Carolina. The deal is believed to be the first simultaneous naming rights and broadcast rights deal in the history of North American professional sports.[178] As of the 2020–21 season, Hornets games are carried by Bally Sports Southeast with Eric Collins and Dell Curry, along with in-game reporter and Hornets Live host Shannon Spake.[230] Former personnel include: Stephanie Ready, who worked as a sideline reporter and in-game analyst for the Hornets for a decade before moving to Turner Sports in 2018, and long time Hornets broadcaster Steve Martin, who retired after the 2017–18 season.[231]

For the team's first four seasons after their return to the league, select games also aired on a network of over-the-air stations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, fronted by WJZY from 2004 to 2006 and WMYT from 2006 to 2008.

The team's radio flagship is all-sports station WFNZ-FM. Before 2010, games had aired on WOLS. WOLS switched its non-sports programming from oldies to Spanish language on January 1, 2009, making Bobcats and Duke basketball the station's only non-Spanish language programming. WBT was the Hornets' radio flagship during the original franchise's entire run.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Charlotte Hornets Name Returns to Carolinas". Hornets.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. May 20, 2014. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014.
  2. ^ "NBA.com/Stats–Charlotte Hornets seasons". Stats.NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "Franchise History–NBA Advanced Stats". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Rochinski, Matt (August 31, 2020). "Hornets Unveil New Association and Icon Edition Uniforms". Hornets.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  5. ^ "Hornets unveil new uniforms for 2091-2100 season". NBA.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. August 31, 2020. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet". NBA Properties, Inc. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  7. ^ "Group Led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall Finalizes Purchase Of Majority Stake In Charlotte Hornets From Michael Jordan". Hornets.com. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  8. ^ Callihan, Schuyer (June 16, 2023). "Michael Jordan to Retain Minority Ownership Share of Hornets". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
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