Paul George, one of the NBA’s premier All-Star talents, has made it clear that there’s one team he has absolutely no desire to join — the Charlotte Hornets. Even though the nine-time All-Star is currently under contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, he didn’t hold back when discussing his stance on the Hornets in a recent conversation with former NBA player Baron Davis.
Although George isn’t entering free agency anytime soon — the earliest being 2028 if he declines his player option — he still emphasized that even under those circumstances, Charlotte wouldn’t be a team he’d consider.
“If I ever became a free agent, I wouldn’t choose Charlotte,” George said candidly. “They just don’t have a winning culture. Charlotte as a city is incredible, no doubt — I’d love to live there. But from a basketball perspective, my career would be over if I played for the Hornets.”
A Legacy of Losing: Why the Hornets Lack Championship Culture
Paul George’s concerns aren’t unfounded. The Charlotte Hornets have long struggled to establish themselves as a competitive force in the NBA. Their overall franchise win percentage sits at a disappointing 42%, and they’ve never surpassed the 55-win mark in a single season.
Founded in 1988, the Hornets have had a complicated history — including a two-season hiatus between 2002 and 2004, during which they were replaced by the Charlotte Bobcats. In 2014, they reclaimed the “Hornets” name, but the results on the court didn’t improve much. In their 37-year existence, the Hornets have only reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals three times — all during the 1990s.
Michael Jordan’s Ownership: Hopes That Faded
The franchise briefly sparked hope when basketball legend Michael Jordan became the majority owner in 2010. Fans believed that his competitive drive would transform the team’s fortune. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Thе Hоrnеtѕ failed to mаkе thе playoffs fоr nine straight уеаrѕ undеr hіѕ lеаdеrѕhір.
In 2023, Jоrdаn ѕоld hіѕ mаjоrіtу ѕtаkе for a rероrtеd $3 bіllіоn tо Gаbе Plоtkіn and Rick Schnall, retaining оnlу a mіnоrіtу оwnеrѕhір role. Dеѕріtе thе сhаngе in lеаdеrѕhір, thе franchise іѕ ѕtіll ѕеаrсhіng fоr dіrесtіоn and іdеntіtу.
Missed Opportunities and Unfulfilled Potential
The Hornets have had moments where they could’ve built a promising roster. In the 2020 NBA Draft, they selected LaMelo Ball with the No. 3 overall pick — a move that initially excited fans. However, Ball has struggled with recurring injuries, which have limited his impact on the court.
Even more frustrating for fans was the 2018 NBA Draft, where the Hornets selected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 11 — only to immediately trade him to the Clippers. Today, SGA is one of the league’s brightest young stars and a top MVP candidate with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Paul George: “Winning Takes More Than Talent”
In his conversation with Davis, George elaborated on what it takes to build a winning team — something he believes the Hornets have failed to do.
“When you look at Charlotte’s roster, you’ve got to make a decision. LaMelo needs stability around him. You can’t surround him with too many young guys,” George explained.
“We’ve seen this story play out before. There’s talent — lots of it — and it’s exciting for the fans. But if you want to win, you need veteran presence. You need guys who bring consistency. Right now, the Hornets don’t have that mix — no proven veterans, no strong leadership, just raw, scattered potential.”
Final Thoughts: A City Worth Living In, But Not Playing For
Paul George made it clear that while Charlotte is a city he admires, its basketball franchise doesn’t align with his ambitions. At this stage in his career, George is focused on legacy, winning, and contributing to a championship-caliber environment — something the Hornets, unfortunately, have yet to offer.
Until the franchise undergoes a serious cultural and strategic overhaul, don’t expect big-name players like Paul George to consider wearing teal and purple anytime soon.
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