Key Takeaways:
- ⭐ The Hornets' odds of winning the division sit at +900.
- 🏆 Their odds of winning the NBA Championship are +8000
- 🏀 Charlotte finished 2025-26 with a 44-38 record (9th in the East)
The Charlotte Hornets put together the biggest turnaround in franchise history in 2025-26, jumping from 19 wins to 44 and reaching the play-in tournament for the first time in years, before falling to the Orlando Magic in the second play-in game. This offseason, Charlotte pivoted toward a younger core: LaMelo Ball and Josh Green were traded to Minnesota, Miles Bridges was sent to Phoenix, and the Hornets added two first-round rookies and re-signed Coby White.
Below, I'll track Charlotte's updated playoff and championship odds heading into 2026-27👇
What Are the Hornets Playoff Chances?
The Charlotte Hornets playoff chances are currently not listed on NC sportsbooks yet. Odds will be available once we get closer to the season.
| ⭐ Hornets Playoff Chances: | OTB |
| 🥇 Hornets Win Southeast Division: | +900 (10.0% chance) |
| 🏀 Hornets Win Eastern Conference: | +4000 (2.4% chance) |
| 🏆 Hornets Win Finals: | +8000 (1.2% chance) |
| ✍️ Last Verified: | July 21, 2026 |
From making a playoff appearance to contending for the NBA Championship, each milestone offers insight into the team’s performance expectations this year. The odds below paint a picture of what fans can anticipate as the Hornets strive to surpass their listed predictions.
Do the Hornets Have a Chance to Make the NBA Playoffs?
After reaching the play-in tournament in 2025-26, the Hornets are betting on continued growth from a younger core, plus the additions of Naz Reid, Grayson Allen and two first-round rookies. Playoff odds for the 2026-27 postseason are not yet available.
🎁 MORE: NC Sports Betting Bonus
Charlotte Hornets Playoff Chances: Key Updates July 2026
Below are the most notable transactions and personnel news that could impact the Hornets' playoff chances this season:
- 📅 June 28, 2026: Charlotte trades Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick.
- 📅 June 25, 2026: Focusing on a younger core, the Hornets trade LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, and three second-round pick.
- 📅 June 25, 2026: Charlotte re-signs Coby White to a three-year, $74 million contract.
- 📅 June 23, 2026: The Hornets select Hannes Steinbach (No. 14, F/C, Washington) and Christian Anderson Jr. (No. 18, G, Texas Tech) in the NBA Draft.
- 📅 May 7, 2026: Charlotte signs head coach Charles Lee to a contract extension.
Key Contributors Toward Carolina Hornets Playoff Chances
The Hornets are now built around a core of Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Naz Reid and Moussa Diabaté, projected as Charlotte's starting five.
Knueppel led the NBA with 273 made three-pointers as a rookie (42.7%) and finished as Rookie of the Year runner-up. The offseason additions of Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale add veteran shooting and defense off the bench, while rookies Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr. join a young rotation that also includes Sion James, Liam McNeeley, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams.
Where Can I Bet on the Hornets to Make the Playoffs?
Legal sports betting in North Carolina is available at three tribal casinos that have retail sportsbooks on the premises:
As of March 11, NBA betting is also available in North Carolina. The state's sports betting law permits up to 11 online North Carolina sports betting apps.
Where Do the Hornets Rank in the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture?
The Hornets finished 2025-26 9th in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record, their best record since 2021-22, before losing to the Orlando Magic in the play-in tournament.
Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, Charlotte has the sixth-longest odds to capture the Eastern Conference title, at +4000 on DraftKings.
Where Do the Hornets Rank to Win the 2026 NBA Championship?
The Charlotte Hornets carry some of the longest odds to win the NBA Finals after a 44-38 season ended in a play-in loss to the Orlando Magic, extending the league's longest active playoff drought. Those odds have shifted even further after this offseason's trades, with LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges both dealt away as Charlotte leans into a younger core.
These numbers will fluctuate throughout the offseason and as the 2026-27 season unfolds, and may differ slightly across sportsbooks.
Hornets Playoff Picture Postseason Outlook & Predictions
Charlotte's 2025-26 turnaround, from 19 wins to a play-in appearance, was one of the league's biggest surprises. The front office followed it up with an aggressive reshuffle this summer, trading away LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges for draft capital and complementary veterans. The 2026-27 outlook hinges on internal growth from Knueppel, Miller and Diabaté, plus how quickly the rookies contribute.
Who to Root for if You’re a Charlotte Hornets Fan?
Of course, you will root for the Charlotte Hornets, but Hornets fans can also find some fun cheering against divisional rivals like the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic, the team that ended Charlotte's play-in run last season.
Carolina Hornets Playoff Chances FAQs
The Charlotte Hornets' odds to make the playoffs are currently off the board. Sportsbooks have not yet listed playoff odds for the 2026-27 season, which is standard for the offseason. The Hornets have not made the playoffs since 2016,
The Charlotte Hornets are not in the playoffs, as it's currently the offseason. As for last season, no. They reached the play-in tournament, beat Miami, then lost to Orlando, extending the NBA's longest active playoff drought (since 2016).
We do not know yet. The Charlotte Hornets have failed to make the playoffs since 2016, and this offseason's rebuild, headlined by big trades, adds even more uncertainty heading into 2026-27. Sportsbooks have not yet posted playoff odds for the new season, so it's too early to say, but we'll update this once lines are available.
Author
Robert B. Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of the Gambling.com Group team. In his spare time, he runs the largest sports meetup group in Orange County, CA, actively participating in every sport imaginable. He is also a published author of five thriller novels, all available on Amazon.
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