Hornets' Charles Lee Praises 'Battle-Tested' Trade Deadline Pickup

Coby White's addition has transformed Charlotte's offense, according to head coach Charles Lee.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Charlotte Hornets have surged up the standings after adding veteran guard Coby White at the trade deadline, and head coach Charles Lee is raving about the impact he's had. Following a blowout win over the Boston Celtics, Lee called White "battle-tested" and said he's provided a major boost to the team's second unit and overall offensive efficiency.

Why it matters

The Hornets were fighting just to stay in the play-in race a month ago, but the addition of White alongside stars like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller has turned them into one of the hottest teams in the NBA. White's experience and high-level playmaking have been crucial in stabilizing Charlotte's rotation and giving them a reliable scoring punch off the bench.

The details

White was highly efficient against the Celtics, scoring 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting with 6 assists in just 20 minutes of action. Lee noted that White's ability to make smart decisions with the ball has allowed the Hornets to get quality shots at the end of quarters. The Hornets cruised to a 118-89 victory, with Kon Knueppel leading the way with 20 points.

  • The Hornets moved to 32-31 with the victory, marking the first time they have sat above the .500 mark since late October.
  • The win also extended Charlotte's current winning streak to six games.

The players

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

Coby White

A veteran guard who was recently acquired by the Hornets at the trade deadline.

LaMelo Ball

A star player for the Charlotte Hornets.

Brandon Miller

A star player for the Charlotte Hornets.

Kon Knueppel

A rookie player for the Charlotte Hornets who led the team in scoring against the Celtics.

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What they’re saying

“He adds a lot to our environment and to our product on the court.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets (r/CharlotteHornets)

“We have a very deep team, but there is something about having a guy like that who's battle-tested, been through a ton of experiences as a high-level thinker and basketball player.”

— Charles Lee, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets (r/CharlotteHornets)

What’s next

The Hornets will look to continue their hot streak as they push towards the playoffs. Their next key test will come on Tuesday when they host the Philadelphia 76ers.

The takeaway

The Hornets' midseason trade for Coby White has paid major dividends, as the veteran guard has stabilized their second unit and provided a much-needed scoring punch. With White complementing stars like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, Charlotte has emerged as one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference.