The Charlotte Hornets made most of their players available for questions from the media at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. They’re essentially exit interviews with the media, but the players only speak for a few minutes. You can click each player’s name to watch their videos on Hornets.com. We’ll also give you the highlights in written form.

Nick Richards

• He spoke very highly of Steve Clifford and is extremely grateful that Cliff trusted him and gave him minutes this season
• Excited for a summer of improvement and is excited about the interior defensive presence he and Mark Williams provide

PJ Washington

• Started with a few platitudes about playing aggressively and efficiently and taking pride in being available
• Considers Charlotte home and wants to continue to playing here; hasn’t thought about playing anywhere else
• The team had playoff goals for this season. They’ll have those same goals for next season.
• His biggest emphases this summer will be playing off the ball and improving his ball handling

Dennis Smith Jr.

• Thankful to Steve Clifford and the team for taking a chance on him and giving him an opportunity
• Wants to continue playing for a coach like Clifford
• Wants to be here but also wants to win basketball games. Thinks this team does have a chance to win.
• Said buy-in with the system led to the defensive improvements later in the season
• Called LaMelo Ball super talented and thinks Clifford is the perfect coach for Ball since Cliff “won’t let the BS slide.”

JT Thor

• Said this season with the first time he’s ever been injured
• The game is slowing down for him and he feels he has a much better understanding of what to do on the floor
• Knows that defense is his calling card and that’s where he needs to focus his energy
• Feels confident in his skill set and his NBA role, which gives him direction for his work this summer
• He’ll definitely play in the Summer League is asked to

Kelly Oubre

• He was cool with his improved stats but it feels hollow since the numbers didn’t come in wins. Wasn’t happy with how the season went.
• Acknowledged that his 3-point percentage needs to improve but thought he did a better job as an attacker
• He and his family love Charlotte and he’d love to be back but he wants to be somewhere where he’s loved and wanted. He’s been a journeyman and wants a place to call home.
• Wants to keep the band together.

Svi Mykhailiuk

• Enjoyed his time this season and felt like the last 10-20 games of the season were the best of his career
• Doesn’t know what will happen in free agency but feels he’s proved that he can play in this league

Terry Rozier

• Said his season “wasn’t bad, wasn’t great” because of the lack of team success
• Thought the season started right and ended right but was derailed by injuries throughout
• Was excited to see the young guys get big minutes to end the season
• Thinks the season would have been much different if it weren’t for injuries and “losing players over the summer”
• Excited to see who the Hornets draft and all the stuff that happens between the playoffs, draft, and Summer League
• Thinks the team is one summer away from being good
• Excited to have another team trip to Miami like they had a couple of summers ago

Cody Martin

• Called this season very mentally challenging since he’s never had to miss extended time with injury before
• Not focused on timetables for his recovery and instead is focusing on how his knee feels
• Doesn’t anticipate any further procedures on his knee; optimistic it’ll continue to get better with rehab

Gordon Hayward

• Frustrated by the injuries that plagued the team
• Super excited to go into an offseason healthy for the first time in a while
• Spoke highly of PJ Washington and his versatility
• Thinks it’s hard to judge the team because of the lack of health and player availability this season

LaMelo Ball

• Primary focus this offseason is getting healthy
• Been watching some college basketball and is excited for who the players pick near the top of the draft
• Said he’ll “play it by the day” but he “loves it out here” when asked if he sees himself in Charlotte long term