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James saw a meaningful role in his rookie season, averaging 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.6 steals across 22.5 minutes per tilt in 82 regular-season games (19 starts). The Hornets took a significant step forward in 2025-26 and will look to continue building momentum behind Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller (shoulder). The club added several veteran swingmen, and while not all of them are guaranteed a steady role, they could challenge James for minutes.

Kispert was traded from Washington to Atlanta last January, averaging 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 18.2 minutes per game in 39 regular-season appearances with the Hawks. However, the club traded for Wiggins, Dort and Ryan Nembhard this summer, giving up Zaccharie Risacher and draft capital in the two deals. Kispert's floor-spacing ability could help him retain a meaningful role, but he isn't guaranteed significant minutes in a crowded wing group.

"We've added some good players with Yaxel, Georges Niang, and believe Brandon Williams can help us," head coach Steve Kerr said during a recent interview. "The biggest things are figuring out who's going to start, and what's the rotation going to look like? Can Yaxel play the 3 with Draymond at the 4, with Kristaps or Al at the 5? What would that look like?" Lendeborg looked good during both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, appearing in a total of eight games and averaging 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 45.9 percent from deep over 26.9 minutes per tilt. While Kerr's recent comments didn't confirm that the rookie No. 11 overall pick will start during the 2026-27 campaign, at least not on a full-time basis, he appears to be primed for a prominent role right out of the gate.

"There's at least some lingering concern about the knee," Poole said during a recent podcast. "From what I understand, he and his trainers have devised ways to kind of work around that and sort of support that whole possibility of the knee not being as great as he wants it to be." When healthy, the 38-year-old had a productive 2025-26 campaign, averaging 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals over 30.9 minutes per contest while playing in 43 regular-season games. However, he missed time mostly due to patellofemoral pain syndrome in his right knee. While the 2009 No. 7 overall pick is still expected to be one of the top contributors in the NBA this season, his knee, along with a contract extension, may be frequent topics of conversation. Curry has appeared in 1,069 regular-season games during his career, averaging 24.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 42.2 percent from deep across 34.0 minutes per game. He is also a two-time MVP, 12-time All-Star and four-time NBA Champion.