The Hornets have doubled down.
After an out-of-the-blue trade sending LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this week, they've shipped out Miles Bridges for Royce O'Neale and Grayson Allen (along with a savvy exchange of draft capital, shipping out their least favorable first of CHA/UTA/CLE/MIN in 2029 for Phoenix's unprotected 2033 first).
This trade represents a clear philosophy shift in Charlotte - one that Atlanta has fully embraced over the course of the last regular season. Pace and space hoops are back in fashion!
Charlotte's risky gamble needs just one more piece to solve the puzzle
I'm still utterly shocked by the Hornets' swift decision to ship out their franchise cornerstone after the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Without LaMelo, there's no Hornets - I can't even imagine what struggle their famous announcer Eric Collins is going through right now. Fortunately, despite the loss of the rock they built their church on, a new structure is quickly being established.
Thanks to acquiring Naz Reid for LaMelo - and now, Royce O'Neale and Grayson Allen for Miles Bridges - the Hornets are well on their way to becoming the greatest three-point shooting powerhouse in the entire NBA.
Unfortunately, they're bereft of one key piece: an initiator.
Should the Hornets trade for a De'Aaron Fox, a Ja Morant, or even sign a Russell Westbrook in free agency, they've got a solution. Expect the Hornets to be a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end, taking after the Hawks from last season.
Atlanta's clearly successful direction is already being mimicked
As it happens, the Hawks have already built out what the Hornets are just beginning to put together.
Last season, the Hawks ranked first in assists, third in fastbreak points, fifth in 3P%, and sixth in 3PA across the entire league. Their blazing speed helped them to leave teams in the dust on the perimeter, largely buoyed by their "death lineup" that skyrocketed Atlanta to the sixth-seed by April.
By acquiring Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Hawks are doubling down with their pace-and-space approach. Flemings will seek to create advantages on the perimeter with his tight handle and blazing quickness, and Ejiofor projects to establish himself as a switchable five to shut down any scheme opponents throw at Atlanta.
Quin Snyder's pace-and-space offense shows no signs of slowing down headed into the 2026-2027 NBA season.
If the Hawks are able to continue the hot streak they began during the twilight of last campaign, expect even more teams beyond the Hornets to implement the age-old strategy of mimcry.
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