Buzz Beat: A Charlotte Hornets Pod

Brian and Darian select five players from the Sweet 16 to create a balanced team. They discuss their drafting strategies and how their players enhance one another's performance on the basketball court. Additionally, they choose a coach from the remaining 16 teams.

Brian and Darian assess players competing in the upcoming NCAA men’s tournament. The following prospects are reviewed (in order): Jase Richardson, Kam Jones, Danny Wolf, VJ Edgecombe, Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Walter Clayton Jr., Derik Queen, Nique Clifford, Kasparas Jakučionis, Chaz Lanier, Tre Johnson.

Richie brings on Matt Alquiza to discuss the intel from Michael Scotto’s recent piece about potential LaMelo Ball move. The two discuss what type of package would be required to send Ball to another team. The final segment puts percentages on the likelihood of Ball, Bridges, Green, Okogie, and Williams returning to Charlotte in 2025-26.

Richie and Brian react to Adam Silver’s recent comments and answer a listener's question about the future of the Hornets. The two discuss Mark Williams and if anything can be done to fix future trade failures in the NBA. They also set priorities for a multi-year plan for the Hornets to become a playoff winner by 2028. 📋 Help give us more insight into your listening habits and preferences by completing this survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 | Richie discusses the failed trade of Mark Williams and all the implications of his return to Charlotte. He chats about the reputation of Jeff Peterson, the re-insertion of Mark Williams into the rotation, and maneuvering the awkward situation with the center rotation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian, Darian, Spencer, and Div recap the busy day for the Hornets as they made multiple trades. The four break down the Mark Williams deal that landed Charlotte Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick. They discuss how this affects the offseason and future outlook of the team. They finish by evaluating the transaction with Phoenix that sent Cody Martin and Vasilije Micić out the door for Jusuf Nurkić and a 2026 first-round pick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie answers a listener's question about retaining a handful of Hornets. He ranks Cody Martin, Josh Green, Grant Williams, Josh Okogie, Tre Mann, and Moussa Diabaté in terms of his preference for keeping players heading into next season. 📨 Subscribe to Buzz Beat Plus for FREE! You get ad-free episodes and early access. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian and Darian evaluate Nick Smith Jr. and Tidjane Salaün midway through the 2024-25 season. The two highlight Smith’s recent play and Salaün’s assignment to Greensboro. The two also discuss the promising signs and concerns for both of these young players as they progress through their rookie contracts. The episode also has discussions on Brandon Miller’s injury to begin the episode and the implications of that moving forward. LIVE Video Version Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 | Richie returns to the microphone to detail the trade of Nick Richards and Josh Okogie. He discusses the implications on the court, in the cap sheet, and within the roster as the Hornets move forward to the second half of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian and Darian return to chat about Charles Lee’s first season as head coach for the Charlotte Hornets. The two discuss promising and worrisome aspects of his 7-25 start to the season. How much blame can be placed on Lee? 🎥 Video Version Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian and Darian return to discuss Brandon Miller’s ankle injury and Mark Williams's recent play. The two discuss the depressing stat that Ball, Miller, and Williams have played just over 150 minutes in their tenure together and the outlook for the remainder of the season. 🎄The duo finishes with two Christmas-related segments: (1) Comparing a Christmas movie character to a Hornets player and (2) Handing out gifts to all those involved in the Charlotte Hornets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian and Darian return to chat about LaMelo’s All-Star case and Moussa Diabaté making the most of his opportunities. The two also talk about Brandon Miller’s disappointing start to the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian and Spencer discuss some of the good and bad aspects of the season's first three games. The two highlight LaMelo Ball’s fast start, Nick Richards's underrated play, and Charles Lee's defensive intricacies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian, Darian, and Spencer return to discuss the results and observations of the Hornets’ first two preseason games. The three talk about LaMelo’s performances, the outlook for Tidjane Salaün, and the overall positivity surrounding Charles Lee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie gives a life update on the Buzz Beat podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian and Darian field listener questions as we slowly approach the opening of the NBA season. The two answer questions about closing lineups, the center depth, and the toughest part of Charlotte’s schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie, Brian, and Darian take all the rostered players on the Hornets and tier them into 6 different categories. The three also answer a listener’s question about the most likely outcome after 20 games. If you’d like to tier the roster, please visit our TierMaker link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie invites Will Eudy and Gil McGregor to partake in a draft of Hornets players from different eras. The three also discuss the offseason moves and the new “DNA” that exists within the organization. 🎥 Video Version Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie brings on Lauren Gunn to discuss the three Hornets players who have previously played for Dallas. She shares the background and scouting report on these players. Richie finishes the episode by outlining Moussa Diabaté signing the final two-way contract. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian and Darian recap the 7-1 Summer League Hornets. They spend some time discussing Zavier Simpson, Jake Stephens, Nick Smith Jr., Brandon Miller, and Tidjane Salaün. The two also talk over the final two-way contract and answer a listener's question about the logjam at the guard positions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices