[1][2][3][4] The team revealed a new primary logo of a hornet bouncing a basketball,[5] and got new pinstripe uniforms, adding teal and purple to their color scheme.
[8][9][10][11][12] The team also signed free agents; Kurt Rambis, who won four championships with the Los Angeles Lakers,[13][14][15] Earl Cureton,[16] and acquired Robert Reid from the Houston Rockets.
[17][18] The Hornets received the eighth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Rex Chapman from the University of Kentucky.
[32] The team's primary logo remained in use until 2002, while the uniforms lasted until 1997, where they added side panels and additional pinstripes to their jerseys.
[36] Most teams use such drafts to pick young players and guarantee a future, but Charlotte chose veterans in order to get a competitive lineup right away.
[37] Roster Last transaction: March 29, 1989 The Hornets' first official NBA game took place on October 14, 1988, at the Madison Square Garden, and was a 118–97 preseason loss to the New Jersey Nets.
[42] The team's first regular season NBA game took place on November 4, 1988, at the Charlotte Coliseum, and was a 133–93 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Traded Bernard Thompson to the Houston Rockets for Robert Reid and a 1990 2nd round draft pick (Steve Scheffler was later selected).