Hornets Sign Perfect Veteran to Mentor Young Core

The Charlotte Hornets continue reshaping their roster after hiring Charles Lee as their head coach. The team got significantly younger this offseason with the additions of Tidjane Salaun with the sixth-overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and the trade that brought 23-year-old Josh Green from the Dallas Mavericks. The rotation for next season will primarily of young players in the early stages of their careers including LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, Nick Smith Jr., and Tidjane Salaun.

There will be an obvious need for a veteran presence that can help mentor that group. The addition of Reggie Jackson will certainly help and Miles Bridges and Grant Williams have a lot of NBA experience at this point. The latest free agent signing signals the priorities of the front office as they brought in 39-year-old Taj Gibson.

Hornets News: Charlotte Signs Veteran Big Man Taj Gibson

At this stage of his career, Taj Gibson doesn't have much to contribute on the court. He will be a depth piece for the Hornets and will only be used if injuries hit multiple frontcourt players at once.

Off the court, however, Gibson is one of the best veterans the team could have signed. One of the most respected players in the league, Gibson has made a name for himself for playing hard, doing things the right way, and being a glue guy in the locker room.

Considering that the Hornets struggled with effort and discipline at times over the past couple of seasons, a competent veteran who could mentor the team and keep them focused could do wonders for the development of players like Ball, Williams, and Miller.

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