With the season winding down, the Charlotte Hornets have one final stretch to evaluate their young core—and it’s a mixed bag. On today’s episode, Doug Branson and Walker Mehl dive into the trend lines for LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Mark Williams, and Nick Smith Jr. LaMelo’s post-All-Star numbers are trending down, and Doug questions whether head coach Charles Lee is intentionally keeping him out of clutch minutes—or if it’s something more concerning. Is the team tanking smart, or just mismanaging?

Meanwhile, Miles Bridges has cooled off from his impressive March stretch, but he’s still showing signs of a more complete player. The guys discuss whether his stock can rise again and if he fits the Hornets’ long-term vision or becomes a key trade chip.

Mark Williams is drawing praise from Walker, who sees growth in defense, hustle, and confidence—plus he’s making smarter decisions and showing signs of vocal leadership. But can he maintain that against upcoming physical matchups?

Nick Smith Jr. may be the biggest wildcard. Getting heavy minutes, his metrics are climbing—can he turn Doug from skeptic to believer?

Plus, Doug drops another mock draft gem and breaks down why VJ Edgecombe might be more than just a trendy name. All that, and a look ahead to a final matchup with the Magic.

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Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history

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