Some of the recent evidence externally might have suggested otherwise, accelerated by the pair of roster shuffling moves executed by the general manager.
When the Charlotte Hornets shipped off Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels hours before the trade deadline on Thursday, it signaled a decisive shift in the organization’s thinking for the remainder of the season. But the purpose, if you ask coach Steve Clifford, remains the same.
Sure, the Hornets may be somewhat focused on the future, which is partially why they haven’t required Reggie Jackson to report after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the package for Plumlee and are working on a buyout with the veteran point guard.