Charlotte Hornets

Teal, buzz, and a franchise that keeps starting over

The original Hornets arrived in 1988 and became the most stylish team in the league, all teal and purple, with Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning and tiny Muggsy Bogues. That team moved to New Orleans in 2002.

Charlotte got an expansion team, the Bobcats, in 2004, with Michael Jordan eventually the owner. In 2014 they reclaimed the Hornets name and history.

LaMelo Ball is the current draw, a passer with flair, but the franchise has only a handful of playoff trips and no deep run for decades of trying.

Kemba Walker gave the modern Hornets their most reliable scorer and their fondest recent memories, even as a deep playoff run stayed out of reach.