Charlotte Hornets 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Charlotte Hornets won just 21 games last season, as they’re searching for their first playoff berth since 2016.

NBA futures odds are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including online sports betting odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Charlotte Hornets Futures Odds

Win Total: 29.5

Southeast Division: +8000

Eastern Conference: +50000

NBA Championship: +100000

The NBA odds market doesn’t see Charlotte making a deep run this season.

The Hornets’ win total is its lowest since the 2020-2021 season, when they were projected with 26.5 wins.

Charlotte’s basketball odds to make the playoffs are +500. 

Charlotte Hornets Offseason Moves

The Hornets acquired Josh Green to bolster their 3-point shooting and defence on the wing and Taj Gibson to add a veteran presence to a locker room that’s lacked maturity in recent years.

Charlotte Hornets Additions

Charlotte Hornets Departures

Charlotte Hornets 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 29.5 Wins (-120)

I predict that the Hornets will finish with over 29.5 wins.

LaMelo Ball has struggled with health in recent years, playing just 22 games last season and 36 the year before due to injuries to his ankle, but I’m trusting that he’ll be able to keep those injuries in check this upcoming season.

Ball is a deep threat from beyond the arc, with exceptional ball-handling skills that allow him to shake off defenders and drive hard to the rim. His hang time leads to some highlight-reel finishes. Additionally, Ball excels at threading passes through tight windows, creating opportunities for his teammates.

Ball’s 7-foot-1 wingspan allows him to guard multiple positions, smother ball-handlers, and force turnovers by playing the passing lanes.

If the 23-year-old can finally put his injuries past him, he could enter the conversation as one of the five best point guards in the league.

Brandon Miller is well on his way to becoming a star in the league, averaging 17.3 points on 44% shooting in his rookie season.

The best of March Eastern Conference @Kia Rookie of the Month Brandon Miller! #KiaROTM

18.6 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 2.6 APG pic.twitter.com/kdBfHcoQM6

— NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2024

Miller is a knockdown 3-point shooter and a strong finisher at the rim. His ball-handling skills and ability to operate in the pick-and-roll allow him to attack the defence, find his spots in the midrange, and create opportunities. Defensively, he has the tools to be a lockdown force both on the perimeter and on the ball, giving him the potential to become one of the league’s elite wings.

Miles Bridges is also a perennial 20-point-per-game scorer who can forcefully attack the rim and hit the 3-pointer.

Both Miller and Bridges benefit greatly from having a bona fide playmaker set them up. While both proved they can set each other up for looks, having Ball back in the mix should help elevate their play. 

Mark Williams, who averaged 12.7 points on 64.9% shooting and 9.7 rebounds per game last season in 19 games, is a great rim protector, giving Charlotte exactly what it needs to balance out this roster. However, he needs to prove he can stay healthy.

With Charles Lee, who won championships as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, taking over as head coach, I expect the Hornets to exceed expectations and be in the mix to potentially end their playoff drought.

Having Green, Seth Curry, Grant Williams, Nick Richards, and Cody Martin all in the mix should give Charlotte plenty of depth to work with as well.

Health is a huge question mark with this team, but I assume it largely holds up. The Hornets made the playoffs the last time Ball was fully healthy, so the Hornets should easily win more than 29.5 games, assuming Ball stays healthy.