Under new head coach Byron Scott, the Hornets played and suffered their worst basketball ways losing their first eight games, which led to an awful 2–29 start.
The team traded David Wesley to the Houston Rockets in December, then midway through the season dealt Baron Davis to the Golden State Warriors, and sent Jamal Mashburn, who was lost for the entire season with a knee injury, to the Philadelphia 76ers for Glenn Robinson, who never played for the Hornets and was released to free agency and signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
On June 16, the Hornets claimed Brazilian swingman Alex Garcia on waivers from the San Antonio Spurs.
On June 22, the 2004 NBA Expansion Draft took place, and the Hornets lost guard Maurice Carter to the Charlotte Bobcats.
Rogers would be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, along with Jamal Mashburn, on February 24 for Glenn Robinson.