While Boris Diaw improved his overall game with the San Antonio Spurs (helping them win an NBA Title in 2014), the Frenchman did have a couple of good seasons in Charlotte before he ran afoul of management due to not being in the best physical condition. Diaw set personal bests in Points Per Game, and Rebounds per Game as a Bobcat, which is what got him to this elevated rank, but realistically, he is in a much better role coming off of the bench as opposed to starting as he did in Charlotte.

Beginning his professional career with the Charlotte Hornets, Kendall Gill was a spectacular dunker who made the First Team NBA All-Rookie Team. Gill would become an effective scorer for Charlotte and, in his sophomore season, would average more than 20 Points per Game. Gill was a balanced player who, for whatever reason, has fallen through the cracks in Charlotte basketball folklore.

A surprise free-agent signing, Al Jefferson came with a large paycheck and high expectations. While Charlotte has not become a power in the East, Jeffersonone, on his part, has certainly done his part to make the team as competitive as possible. In his first season with Charlotte, he averaged a double-double and made Third Team All-NBA, finishing eighth in MVP voting.

Eddie Jones was already a certified star from his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he went to two All-Star Games; however, as a member of the Charlotte Hornets, Jones made his third All-Star appearance and posted his best scoring numbers and PER.  He also led the NBA in Steals per Game (2.7 in 1999-2000), and was third in Defensive Player of the Year voting that year; the highest finish of his career.