History of Charlotte Timeline

(1768 - Present)

Charlotte, North Carolina, founded in 1768 and named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, grew from a small colonial town into one of the largest cities in the United States. Its history includes the Mecklenburg Resolves, an early gold rush that spurred banking, Civil War-era events, and its transformation in the late 20th century into the nation's second-largest financial center. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Franchise Founding

NBA plans expansion by four teams for the 1988–89 season

1985

In 1985, the NBA, with 23 teams, was planning to expand by four teams by the 1988–89 season. This set in motion the process that would eventually bring an NBA franchise to Charlotte.

Stern awards Charlotte the NBA's 24th franchise

Apr 5, 1987

On April 5, 1987, NBA Commissioner David Stern called George Shinn to award him the NBA's 24th franchise, to begin play in 1988 in Charlotte.

Hornets join Miami Heat in the 1988 NBA expansion draft

1988

In 1988, the Hornets and the Miami Heat were part of the 1988 NBA expansion draft as they assembled their initial rosters. The team also held three draft picks at the 1988 NBA draft.

Hornets Era (1988–2002)

Hornets play first NBA game, lose to Cavaliers

Nov 4, 1988

Charlotte played its first NBA game on November 4, 1988, losing 133–93 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and finished the 1988–89 season with a 20–62 record.

Coach Dick Harter fired mid-season

1989

Head coach Dick Harter was fired during the 1989–90 season and replaced on an interim basis by assistant Gene Littles.

Image source: Dick Harter

Hornets draft Kendall Gill with fifth pick

1990

The Hornets selected guard Kendall Gill with the fifth pick in the 1990 NBA draft, adding a key building block to the young franchise.

Image source: Kendall Gill

Improvement to 26–56 and hosting of the 1991 All-Star Game

1991

The Hornets improved to 26–56 in 1990–91 and hosted the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, after which Gene Littles was replaced by general manager Allan Bristow.

Image source: 1991 NBA All-Star Game

Larry Johnson drafted first overall from UNLV

1991

With the first pick in the 1991 NBA draft, the Hornets selected Larry Johnson from UNLV, a cornerstone of the franchise's rise.

Johnson wins Rookie of the Year; team improves to 31–51

1992

Johnson won the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and Charlotte improved to 31–51 in the 1991–92 season.

Alonzo Mourning selected with second pick

1992

Charlotte selected center Alonzo Mourning with the second pick in the 1992 NBA draft, pairing him with Larry Johnson and Kendall Gill.

Image source: Alonzo Mourning

First winning season and playoff debut at 44–38

1993

The Hornets finished the 1992–93 season 44–38, their first winning record, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time. They became one of the league's attendance leaders.

Charlotte misses the playoffs in 1993–94

1994

Charlotte missed the playoffs in the 1993–94 season after its breakthrough postseason appearance the year before.

50-win season and return to the postseason

1995

The team won 50 games and returned to the postseason in the 1994–95 season.

Mourning traded to Miami for Glen Rice

1995

Before the 1995–96 season, the Hornets traded Alonzo Mourning to the Miami Heat for Glen Rice, Matt Geiger, and Khalid Reeves.

Image source: Glen Rice

Johnson traded to Knicks; Kobe Bryant rights sent to Lakers

1996

Charlotte traded Larry Johnson to the New York Knicks in 1996 and sent the draft rights to Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac.

Image source: Vlade Divac

Franchise-record 54 wins in 1996–97

1997

The reshaped team set a franchise record with 54 wins in the 1996–97 season. Glen Rice made the All-NBA Second Team and was named MVP of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.

Shinn rape trial severely tarnishes his reputation

1997

In 1997, a Charlotte woman claimed that owner George Shinn had raped her, and the subsequent trial severely tarnished his reputation in the community.

Hornets follow with a 51–31 record in 1997–98

1998

The Hornets followed their 54-win season with a 51–31 record in 1997–98, continuing their run among the Eastern Conference's stronger teams.

Rice traded to Lakers; Davis drafted third overall

1999

During the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season, Charlotte traded Glen Rice to the Los Angeles Lakers for Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell. The Hornets then selected point guard Baron Davis with the third pick in the 1999 NBA draft.

Image source: Baron Davis

Bobby Phills killed; number retired

2000

During the 1999–2000 season, guard Bobby Phills was killed in an automobile accident, and the team retired his No. 13 jersey in his honor.

46–36 season, sweep of Heat in playoffs

2001

The 2000–01 team finished 46–36, swept the Miami Heat in the first round, and lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games.

Arena disputes and declining attendance precede relocation

2001 - 2002

Shinn was discontented with the Charlotte Coliseum, which despite being state-of-the-art when it opened in 1988 had limited luxury boxes. Arena disputes and declining attendance preceded the team's relocation after the 2001–02 season.

Image source: Charlotte Coliseum

City council dispute leads Hornets to request move to New Orleans

2001

The city council refused to remove a statement Shinn objected to, leading the Hornets to request a move to New Orleans — returning pro basketball there after the Jazz moved to Salt Lake City in 1979.

Grizzlies win bid to relocate to Memphis

Mar 26, 2001

On March 26, 2001, both the Hornets and the Vancouver Grizzlies applied for relocation to Memphis, Tennessee, which was ultimately won by the Grizzlies.

Final Charlotte season ends with loss to Nets

2002

In 2001–02, the Hornets went 44–38, defeated the Orlando Magic, and lost to the New Jersey Nets in five games — the franchise's final season in Charlotte before relocating to New Orleans.

NBA approves relocation; promises Charlotte a new franchise

2002

The NBA approved the move and, to avoid a Cleveland Browns-like lawsuit, promised Charlotte would get a new expansion franchise, while allowing Shinn to take the extant franchise's name, history and records to New Orleans.

Bobcats Era (2004–2014)

Johnson group awarded Charlotte's new expansion franchise

Dec 18, 2002

On December 18, 2002, a group led by Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson was awarded Charlotte's new expansion franchise. The league said it would be receptive to placing the team in Charlotte for the 2004–05 season if an arena deal could be reached.

'Bobcats' name unveiled to street festival crowd

Jun 2003

In June 2003, the team was named the Bobcats. During the summer of 2003, at a street festival crowd of 7,000 fans, the franchise unveiled 'Bobcats' as the team name.

Construction begins on new uptown arena

Jul 2003

A new arena to host the Bobcats at uptown Charlotte began construction in July 2003, and the team played its home games at the Coliseum until the new building was ready.

Image source: Spectrum Center

Bobcats begin play; Wallace and Okafor arrive

2004

A separate expansion franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats, began play in 2004. The Bobcats assembled their first roster through the 2004 expansion draft, which brought Gerald Wallace to Charlotte, and acquired the second pick in the 2004 NBA draft, selecting center Emeka Okafor.

Bobcats move into new arena and improve to 26–56

2005

The team moved into the new Charlotte Bobcats Arena during the 2005–06 season and improved to 26–56.

Image source: Spectrum Center

Bickerstaff's final season ends 33–49

2007

Charlotte improved to 33–49 in 2006–07, the final season of Bernie Bickerstaff's tenure as head coach. Sam Vincent replaced him but was dismissed after the Bobcats went 32–50 in 2007–08.

Image source: Bernie Bickerstaff

Larry Brown hired as head coach

Apr 2008

The Bobcats hired Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown in April 2008. Charlotte improved to 35–47 in the 2008–09 season, narrowly missing the playoffs.

Image source: Larry Brown (basketball)

First winning record and playoff berth under Brown

2010

The 2009–10 Bobcats finished 44–38, their first winning record, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time. In February 2010, Robert Johnson agreed to sell the Bobcats to Michael Jordan, who became the first former NBA player to serve as majority owner of a league franchise.

Brown departs; Paul Silas takes over

2010

Brown left the team after a 9–19 start to the 2010–11 season, and former Hornets coach Paul Silas returned as his replacement.

Image source: Paul Silas

Kemba Walker drafted ninth overall

2011

In the 2011 NBA draft, the Bobcats selected Kemba Walker with the ninth pick, who would become the face of the franchise for years.

Image source: Kemba Walker

Record-low .106 winning percentage in lockout season

2012

The lockout-shortened 2011–12 season ended with a 7–59 record, giving Charlotte an NBA-record .106 winning percentage.

Steve Clifford replaces Mike Dunlap

2013

The Bobcats finished 21–61 in the 2012–13 season, after which Dunlap was dismissed and replaced by Steve Clifford. The Bobcats signed center Al Jefferson during the 2013 offseason.

Image source: Steve Clifford

Modern Hornets Era (2014–Present)

Jordan announces application to restore Hornets name

May 21, 2013

On May 21, 2013, Michael Jordan announced that the franchise had applied to adopt the Charlotte Hornets name beginning with the 2014–15 season.

Bobcats officially become the Charlotte Hornets again

May 20, 2014

On May 20, 2014, the Bobcats officially adopted the Charlotte Hornets name. The renamed franchise was assigned the history and records of the 1988–2002 Charlotte teams, while the New Orleans organization retained its records from 2002 onward.

Roster rebuilt with Batum and Lin; 48 wins

2015

Charlotte reshaped its roster before the 2015–16 season, most notably acquiring Nicolas Batum and signing Jeremy Lin. The Hornets finished 48–34, their highest win total since 1999–2000, earning the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

First playoff victory since 2002 against the Heat

2016

After the Hornets name was restored, Charlotte returned to the playoffs in 2016, defeating the Miami Heat in Game 3 for its first playoff victory since 2002 and extending the series to seven games before being eliminated.

Walker makes first All-Star appearance

2017

Kemba Walker was selected for his first NBA All-Star Game in 2017. Charlotte finished the 2016–17 season 36–46 and missed the playoffs.

Walker becomes franchise's career scoring leader

Mar 28, 2018

Walker made a second consecutive All-Star appearance in 2018 and, on March 28, surpassed Dell Curry as the franchise's career scoring leader. The Hornets finished the 2017–18 season 36–46 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Charlotte hosts 2019 NBA All-Star Game

Feb 2019

Charlotte hosted the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, with Kemba Walker selected as a starter. The Hornets were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the regular season, their third consecutive season outside the postseason.

Image source: 2019 NBA All-Star Game

Walker traded to Celtics for Terry Rozier

Jul 2019

In July 2019, Charlotte sent Walker and a future second-round pick to the Boston Celtics in a sign-and-trade for Terry Rozier and a future second-round pick, ending Walker's eight-season tenure with the franchise.

Image source: Terry Rozier

LaMelo Ball drafted third overall; wins Rookie of the Year

2020

With the third pick in the 2020 NBA draft, the Hornets selected guard LaMelo Ball, who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2021. The Hornets finished the shortened 2020–21 season with a 33–39 record and qualified for the play-in tournament, where the Indiana Pacers eliminated them, 144–117.

Image source: LaMelo Ball

Season halted by COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 2020

The Hornets were 23–42 when the NBA suspended the 2019–20 season in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Charlotte was one of eight teams not invited to the league's restart at the 2020 NBA Bubble, ending the franchise's season.

Image source: 2020 NBA Bubble

43–39 season but another tenth-place finish

2022

Charlotte improved to 43–39 in the 2021–22 season but again finished tenth in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets rehired Steve Clifford as head coach on June 24, 2022, beginning his second tenure with the team.

Injury-plagued 27–55 season; Brandon Miller drafted second

2023

During the 2022–23 season, Charlotte's players missed a combined 258 games because of injuries, and the team finished 27–55. The Hornets received the second pick in the 2023 NBA draft and selected forward Brandon Miller.

Image source: Brandon Miller (basketball, born 2002)

Jordan sells majority stake to Plotkin and Schnall

Aug 3, 2023

On August 3, 2023, the sale of Jordan's majority stake to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall was finalized; Jordan retained a minority interest.

Charles Lee hired as head coach

May 9, 2024

The Hornets finished the 2023–24 season with a 21–61 record. After Steve Clifford announced that the season would be his last as head coach, Charlotte hired Charles Lee on May 9, 2024. Miller was named to the All-Rookie First Team, and Charlotte selected Tidjane Salaün with the sixth pick in the 2024 NBA draft.

19–63 finish amid injuries to Ball and Miller

2025

In Lee's first season, injuries again affected the roster, including season-ending injuries to Ball and Miller, and Charlotte finished the 2024–25 season with a 19–63 record. The Hornets selected Kon Knueppel with the fourth pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

25-win improvement to 44–38 under new ownership

2026

Under the new ownership group, Charlotte improved from 19–63 in 2024–25 to 44–38 in 2025–26, finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference and returning to the play-in tournament.

Play-in overtime thriller vs. Heat, then loss to Magic

Apr 2026

In the 2026 play-in tournament, the Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 127–126 in overtime before losing 121–90 to the Orlando Magic in the game for the Eastern Conference's eighth playoff seed.

Steinbach and Anderson drafted; Bridges traded to Suns

Jun 2026

In the 2026 NBA draft, Charlotte selected Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr. Charlotte subsequently traded Miles Bridges and two draft picks to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and a 2033 first-round pick.

Key Facts

Charlotte was incorporated in 1768 and named in honor of Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, giving it the nickname 'The Queen City.'
In May 1775, local leaders signed the Mecklenburg Resolves, traditionally claimed as one of the first declarations of independence from Britain.
The discovery of gold nearby in 1799 triggered America's first gold rush, leading to the establishment of a U.S. Mint branch in Charlotte in 1837.
After the Civil War, Charlotte became a major textile processing and cotton trading center for the Carolina Piedmont region.
In the 1970s-1990s, Charlotte transformed into the second-largest banking center in the United States after New York City, home to institutions like Bank of America.

Source

This History of Charlotte timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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