CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hornets coach James Borrego still isn't ready to name his entire starting five on the eve of the regular-season opener.The second-year coach says point guard Terry Rozier and center Cody Zeller will start Wednesday night when the Hornets host the Chicago Bulls. However, he isn't disclosing the other three starters.Borrego says he'll make an announcement until just before tipoff.Miles Bridges, Dwayne Bacon, Nic Batum, Marvin Williams, Malik Monk and rookie PJ Washington are all in the mix to start.Borrego says he ran with one group of five in Tuesday's closed practice, but wanted to meet with his coaching staff before making a final decision.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Mitch Kupchak doesn't see the Charlotte Hornets being major players in free agency as they attempt to build a winning franchise in the post-Kemba Walker era — at least not right away.Instead, the second-year general manager said Monday he anticipates the Hornets will construct the roster through draft picks and "savvy trades" during the season, while compiling as many assets as possible."We will not be an active player" in free agency, Kupchak said. "I think we can build a culture here and get enough assets and have a promising enough future and really attract the kind of free agent you want to spend that kind of money on — but I don't think you can do it right now."So in the meantime, the Hornets will give young players like Dwayne Bacon, Miles Bridges, Malik Monk, Devonte Graham and even rookie PJ Washington extensive playing time this season as part of their No. 1 overall goal of player development after going 39-43 last season and losing Walker, a three-time All-Star,... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hornets center Cody Zeller got proactive when NBA free agency arrived, posting a picture of himself on social media selling lemonade for 25 cents a glass with all proceeds going to "Keep Kemba in Charlotte."That didn't work out.Hornets owner Michael Jordan had no intention of paying Kemba Walker, a three-time All-Star and the franchise's all-time leading scorer, a $221 million supermax contract. Walker wound up going to the Celtics for $140 million over four years.With Walker's departure, the Hornets are in a youth movement that leaves them as one of the favorites to land the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NBA draft."We have been so close to getting over the hump (and making the playoffs), so it felt like if we gave it another shot or two we could get over that hump," Zeller said. "But I think Kemba is going to be good in Boston. ... At the end of the day you want what is best for him, but it sucks for me a little bit."And the Hornets, too.Walker had become the... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kemba Walker knows his future with the Charlotte Hornets is up in the air.But the two-time All-Star said he's not going to spend the offseason dwelling on where he'll be playing next season.Walker has one year remaining on a four-year, $48 million contract and while he'd like to remain with the Hornets — where he's the franchise's all-time leading scorer — he knows nothing is for certain after a second straight non-playoff season prompted team owner Michael Jordan to hire Mitch Kupchak as the new general manager.That means that if Kupchak decides a massive rebuilding project is in order, Walker could be the first one out the door given he's the team's biggest bargaining chip and has a favorable contract."I have no idea," Walker said Wednesday regarding his future after Charlotte's regular season finale. "That is out of my control. I am just going to focus on getting better as a player. That is really all you can do. I don't know what they are going to do."The 6-foot-1... [More]

The struggling Hornets have shaken up their front office, firing general manager Rich Cho on Tuesday."Rich worked tirelessly on behalf of our team and instituted a number of management tools that have benefited our organization," Hornets owner Michael Jordan said in a release. "We are deeply committed to our fans and to the city of Charlotte to provide a consistent winner on the court. The search will now begin for our next head of basketball operations who will help us achieve that goal."Charlotte is 24-33 and on the verge of failing to reach the playoffs for the second straight season.Jordan's college teammate Buzz Peterson was hired last year as the team's assistant general manager is a potential replacement. Former Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak could be another candidate to join Peterson in the front office in some capacity.Cho was hired as GM in 2011 and assumed day-to-day responsibilities of the basketball operations department in 2014."I will always be grateful for my experience with the... [More]

C Cody Zeller underwent surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, the Charlotte Hornets announced Tuesday. The team said Zeller's surgery was "successful" and that he will remain out indefinitely. Updates on Zeller's condition will be provided by the Hornets when they become available, per the team. Zeller was averaging 7.2 points and 5.5 rebounds through 19 games this season for Charlotte.

C Cody Zeller will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, the team announced before the game. Zeller is expected to miss at least six weeks.

C Cody Zeller exited Wednesday's loss to Golden State with a left knee strain He was injured in the second half. Zeller played 16 minutes and finished with six points and eight rebounds before getting hurt.

C Cody Zeller returned Sunday after he missed the first five games with a right knee bone bruise.

C Cody Zeller missed his second straight game because of a right knee bone bruise.

C Cody Zeller (right knee bone bruise) did not play Friday.

C Cody Zeller had 12 points and nine rebounds Saturday.

C Cody Zeller had 15 points and 11 rebounds Friday.

C Cody Zeller scored 15 points. He also tallied six rebounds and three steals.

C Cody Zeller had 19 points, five rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots on Saturday, going 8 of 10 from the field.

C Cody Zeller finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds Monday in the Hornets' win over Indiana.

C Cody Zeller returned to the lineup after missing six games with quad soreness. Zeller had six points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.

F Cody Zeller's absence continued. Zeller (quadriceps soreness) missed five straight games and 12 of the last 13.

C Cody Zeller missed his fourth straight game with quad soreness.

C/F Cody Zeller (sore quadriceps) did not play Wednesday at Toronto. He missed his third straight game and the ninth in the past 10.