Updated Hornets Depth Chart Projection — Where Do the New Guys Fit?

After a busy trade deadline, Charles Lee will have to tweak his rotations with the addition of new players.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 9:23am

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The Charlotte Hornets made several moves at the trade deadline, acquiring new players like Coby White, Malakai Branham, and Tosan Evbuomwan. This article projects how the Hornets' updated depth chart will look once the new additions are integrated into the lineup.

Why it matters

The Hornets' trade deadline moves will have a significant impact on their rotations and lineups going forward. Understanding how the new players fit into the depth chart is crucial for evaluating the team's outlook for the rest of the season.

The details

The projected depth chart has LaMelo Ball and Coby White as the top two point guards, with Tre Mann as the third-string option. At shooting guard, Kon Knueppel, Sion James, Malakai Branham, and Antonio Reeves are expected to see minutes. The small forward position is led by Brandon Miller, with Josh Green and Liam McNeeley providing depth. At power forward, Miles Bridges and Grant Williams are the starters, with Tidjane Salaün and Tosan Evbuomwan as reserves. The center rotation features Moussa Diabaté, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Xavier Tillman Sr., and PJ Hall.

  • Coby White is not expected to make his Hornets debut until after the All-Star break.

The players

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets who will need to adjust his rotations and lineups to accommodate the new players acquired at the trade deadline.

LaMelo Ball

The star point guard of the Charlotte Hornets, who will continue to be the team's primary playmaker.

Coby White

The newly acquired point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who will provide depth and scoring off the bench.

Tre Mann

The third-string point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who will see increased minutes in Coby White's absence.

Malakai Branham

The newly acquired shooting guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who will provide additional depth at the position.

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What they’re saying

“Losing Collin Sexton's toughness, passion, and intensity is not going to be an easy thing for this team to swallow. Fortunately, Coby White's offensive skillset fits perfectly with this group and will allow the Hornets to remain afloat when LaMelo takes a set.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach

What’s next

Coby White is expected to make his Hornets debut after the All-Star break, which will allow the team to fully integrate him into the rotation.

The takeaway

The Hornets' trade deadline moves have added depth and versatility to their roster, but they will need to carefully manage their rotations and lineups to ensure a smooth transition for the new players. The team's success will depend on how well the new additions can complement the existing core and contribute to the team's overall performance.