[1] In the 1992 NBA draft, the Hornets selected Alonzo Mourning out of Georgetown University with the second overall pick.
[2][3][4][5][6] The team also signed free agent David Wingate during the first month of the regular season,[7][8][9] then later on traded J.R. Reid to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Sidney Green in December,[10][11][12] and released Tom Hammonds to free agency as he later on signed with the Denver Nuggets.
[13][14][15] With the addition of Mourning, along with second-year star Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues, the Hornets struggled losing four of their first six games, but then went on a five-game winning streak afterwards, held a 26–23 record at the All-Star break,[16] and won 9 of their final 12 games, finishing their season in third place in the Central Division with a 44–38 record,[17] and qualified for their first ever playoff appearance.
Johnson averaged 22.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah,[31][32][33][34] while Mourning averaged 21.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting behind Shaquille O'Neal of the Orlando Magic.
[39] Following the season, Gill was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics,[40][41][42][43] and Green was released to free agency.