The Charlotte Hornets have treaded in the mediocre waters of the late lottery since returning to the city as the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004.

The Charlotte Hornets have only made the playoffs three times in those 16 years, making a first-round exit each time. That, coupled with the departure of All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker, can make the team exhausting to root for at times. Walker was one of only two All-Stars selected from Charlotte since the teams return, the other being Gerald Wallace.

By many accounts, Walker was also the greatest Hornet of all time, so of course, his departure would be a bit disheartening. However, there are several reasons for fans to get excited about the young squad’s future.

This article will examine some of the hidden bright spots of the team. There are several gems nestled away in the Queen City. Being in one of the smaller markets of the NBA, often players on Charlotte’s roster are overlooked by the national media and shunned recognition.

The Hornets have quietly assembled one of the better young cores in the league, and simultaneously overhauled the front office and coaching staff. Albatrosses of contracts come off the books Nicolas Batum and Bismack Biyombo in the next two years. Could this be the end of Charlotte’s struggles?