Hornets, Grant Williams, Knicks, Mitchell Robinson, Nets

Veteran Hornets forward Grant Williams is taking a patient, measured approach in his recovery from a devastating right knee injury suffered in November 2024. For the record, the 26-year-old tore his ACL, meniscus, and other ligaments, and while he’s made meaningful progress, he told NBA reporter Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer that he’s not fully back yet.

“I feel great, physically just taking it one day at a time,” Williams said. “Rehab is a pretty slow process. There can be good days and bad days… Not necessarily there for contact yet, but in terms of being able to perform and work out, that’s something I think brings serenity — shooting the ball well, talk trash. So I’m trying to still find better shooters in the gym to compete against.”

Williams also emphasized that the Hornets are not rushing his return, allowing him to recover on a timeline that prioritizes long-term health over short-term urgency.

“They understand that there might be a little bit of time for me to get back and get my feet wet into the game,” he said. “It’s a matter of making sure I can play for a long time… to make sure I can help this team compete at a high level for a long couple of years.”

Before the injury, Williams averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists over 16 games with Charlotte, while shooting 43.9% from the field, 36.5% from three, and 83.8% at the line.

He’s in Year 3 of a four-year, $53.3M fully guaranteed deal originally signed with Boston. If Charlotte intends to trade him at any point, he’ll need to prove he can return to form and contribute as a reliable two-way piece.

On the Hornets’ Offseason Moves

Though he hasn’t played alongside the new acquisitions yet, Williams is encouraged by the front office’s offseason work, especially the team’s improved depth and athleticism.

“We got a lot more athletic, we added a lot more depth — not only top to bottom but position by position,” Williams said. “We’ve got a lot more guards, a lot more scoring potential, a lot more fast play potential.”

He highlighted Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate as mobile bigs, while also praising newcomer Ryan Dunn for his floor spacing and rim protection.

In terms of guards and wings, Williams pointed to players like Collin Sexton, Tre Mann, Josh Green (once healthy), Miles Bridges, and rookie Kon Knueppel as names who add scoring punch and versatility.

“Geez, you could go down the line with a lot of names that we can add,” Williams said. “We are just super excited… the ability to compete at a high level every single night even when guys are out.”

On the Rookie Class

Williams also spoke highly of the Hornets’ incoming rookies, praising their openness and eagerness to learn.

“They honestly are some great individuals… They are very goofy also, but also they are young so they are fresh behind the ears,” he said. “They don’t really know what’s coming.”

He’s taking on a mentorship role, helping the young players acclimate to the demands of the NBA and understand the culture Charlotte is trying to build.

“They’ve been very, very open,” he said. “They haven’t really shut anything down and I think they are approaching everything with the right approach going into the season.”

Around the League…

• Knicks + Mikal Bridges: Even after Bridges took slightly less than the max on his new 4-year, $150M extension, the Knicks are still headed for second-apron territory next season if they re-sign Mitchell Robinson, per Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron. Bridges’ rare 5.69% trade kicker could net him a $6.17M bonus if dealt in 2026 — the same amount he left on the table in his extension.
• Nets Rebuild Watch: Brooklyn landed the No. 8 pick in this year’s NBA lottery and is reportedly open to tanking again in 2025–26. But Brian Lewis of The New York Post warns of long-term consequences. “You risk eroding the environment you’re trying to create,” one agent said, referencing how a similar strategy backfired in Philadelphia during “The Process.”

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