The new NBA schedule is officially out, and we're exploring everything it means for the Charlotte Hornets this season. We begin with the nationally televised games, where the Hornets are slated for three appearances—but our proprietary "ANTENNAS" formula suggests the real number is much lower. This sparks a conversation about the NBA's marketing philosophy and whether the league is shortsighted in its heavy reliance on aging superstars instead of promoting rising talents like LaMelo Ball.

While Charlotte is tied for the most back-to-backs in the league with 16, the schedule offers pretty good balance. The team has zero stretches of five games in seven days and leads the league with the most games following three or more days of rest. We'll also point to a critical seven-game homestand in March that could define the end of their season and potentially fuel a push for the postseason. Finally, the Hornets just signed UNC standout Armando Bacot to a one-year deal. We'll look at the impressive G League numbers that earned him this opportunity with the Hornets

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