It’s almost that time.
With the official arrival of fall rapidly approaching in the coming days, it can only mean one thing: training camp is right around the corner. In just over a week, the Hornets will get things rolling into their second season under coach James Borrego and first without Kemba Walker in eight years.
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Plenty of questions abound with the franchise as we inch closer to the first practice, which is slated for Oct. 1 at the old stomping grounds of their owner Michael Jordan, in Chapel Hill. We assembled a 10-pack of queries that covered a wide range of topics, from Jordan bringing two new owners on board to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s status and if we will see second-round pick Jalen McDaniels.
Let’s dive right into it.
What’s your take on Jordan selling off a big piece of the team to two hedge fund guys? The way the story has been presented is that Jordan will continue to have the last word on the basketball side of things and these two are coming in on more of a business/tech angle. Any chance this shakes up the war room or changes how this team operates? — Will E.
No chance you’ll see any deviation from the status quo. Jordan still has overall control of the team and will continue to be the main decision-maker. He will also remain as the team’s NBA governor. Nothing has changed in that regard. The final say on personnel and other matters stay with him. So don’t expect Gabe Plotkin or Daniel Sundheim to be involved in things involving the day-to-day operations of the team. That’s not what this was about. It’s an opportunity for Jordan to get an influx of cash to assist in modernizing the organization, which could use an injection of fresh ideas to help it compete with others who lead the way in that department. From Jordan’s perspective, it was a no-brainer and a move he felt was a necessity.
Should Charlotte fans worry that the team might relocate if it continues to struggle/lose money? Especially in light of Jordan selling part of the team? — Brody G.
You can never completely say never with things like this. Who thought the Seattle Supersonics would leave the Pacific Northwest and go to Oklahoma City of all places? Or Art Modell yanking the beloved Cleveland Browns out of Ohio and bringing the franchise to Baltimore and renaming them the Ravens? However, it’s really hard from my vantage point to see Jordan moving the Hornets out of North Carolina. It’s his home state and not only would it not be a good look for a city that was awarded another franchise after its first expansion team moved to New Orleans (a rarity if there ever was one, particularly in the NBA), but it certainly would sully Jordan’s legacy and reputation. And I’m not sure that is something he really wants or desires. So I wouldn’t be too concerned about seeing Mayflower moving trucks outside Spectrum Center any time soon.
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Mitch Kupchak gave Terry Rozier a three-year, $57 million contract. Why use 20 percent of the cap on a guy who shoots 38 percent from the field? — Paul P.
Handing a fairly unproven player nearly $20 million a year on the strength of a small sample size of his four-year career was the lone offseason move the Hornets made, and it’s something that will be debated until Rozier’s contract concludes in 2022. But people forget to comprehend Rozier had other options and as a free agent he was the one who chose his destination, even though he acquired via a sign-and-trade with Boston for Walker. The New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns were also in play for his services. In situations like this, as I’ve written previously, when the Hornets are not a player’s preferred landing spot the organization is going to be forced to overpay. Especially with them not ponying up enough dough to keep Walker from leaving for Boston. That’s the way it is. So if they didn’t overpay for Rozier, it would have been someone else. Doesn’t mean it’s right. It’s just the reality of things.
Do you think people are actually underrating the Hornets for this upcoming season? I don’t think there’s a scenario where they make a playoff run, but I also don’t think they’re as bad as the “here we go with another historically bad Bobcats year” people think. They have some legit young talent. What do you think? — Larry B.
I’m not sure people are underrating the Hornets. They lost a lot. I mean, a lot. Think about it: Their top two scorers departed and the Hornets didn’t really replace their production. Walker and Jeremy Lamb pushed their offense and keyed things when they needed a bucket or someone to make a play, but even with them, the Hornets couldn’t make the playoffs. I’m with you, though. I don’t believe they will be as historically bad as the 7-59 Bobcats of 2011-12 because, yes, they do have some talent. But it’s really thin with quality depth at virtually every position. In all honesty, what team will they be actually favored against?
Do you have a sense of how much of a role MKG will have? People seem to forget that he’s only 25. I really think he can improve on the offensive end and make a contribution. But he’s not being mentioned as part of the young core (maybe due to his contract expiring). — Kelvin H.
As I’ve noted previously, I don’t think there is much of a role for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at the moment. After beginning last season out of the starting lineup, and having to adjust to coming off the bench regularly for the first time in his career, he didn’t play much toward the tail end of the season and I don’t think the plan is for that to change drastically. Sure, he could slide himself into the rotation on more of a consistent basis if those ahead of him in the pecking order get injured. However, it’s unlikely he will begin the season as one of the players who will log heavy minutes as a reserve. Scoring will be an issue at times for the Hornets and that is not Kidd-Gilchrist’s strength.
Is this season Malik Monk’s last chance to make an impression on this organization? What should we use as a measurement for a successful Malik Monk season? — Robert B.
Yes, this is Monk’s final gasp. This will be his third season, so at this point, there are no excuses. He must be better and quite frankly the runway is clear for him to take off and prove the naysayers wrong. The Hornets don’t have much outside shooting and he’s one of the best on the team from 3-point range. They also are in dire need of scoring and that’s another department Monk excels in when he plays within himself. He can fill both of those voids, but if it doesn’t happen for him this season he will have no one to blame but himself. As for what would constitute a successful season, it’s consistency and improved maturation. He’s been too up-and-down in his first two years in the league and can’t seem to string together multiple games in which he stuffs the stat sheet while also playing well and within himself. No more shifting into yo-yo mode where you aren’t sure which version of Monk you’re getting. If he wants to land a solid contract when his rookie deal runs out, it’s paramount for him to get it together this season. It’s all up to him.
I’ve been out of the loop, but what are the odds right now that Jalen McDaniels makes the roster? Do you see it happening? — via Twitter
If you mean the Hornets’ main roster, no. I do not see McDaniels making it to the big club immediately. Remember, he hasn’t signed yet, although that could change. The Hornets tendered him before the deadline, so they retain his rights for the next calendar year following the draft. McDaniels still has the option to play overseas if he can find a lucrative offer he deems worthy enough to continue his career abroad. Don’t be surprised, however, if he is in camp when it begins in Chapel Hill. He’s been around the team recently and the Hornets like his talent and athleticism. But he’s raw and could use some seasoning in the G League, which is where he would land if he signs with the Hornets as anticipated.
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Where will Miles Bridges play this season? Small or power forward? — via Twitter
The expectation is for him to start at the power forward position. It’s something Borrego first mentioned in the summer and Bridges is embracing the move. He seems unfazed because the league — and the team — is shifting to more of a position-less basketball approach and he doesn’t see a huge disparity between playing either of the forward slots. He’s been a mainstay in the gym all offseason, doing things like working on his three 3-point shot and footwork to make himself a better all-around player.
Monk, PJ Washington or Bridges? Which one gives the most hope for the future of Charlotte? — via Twitter
To me, it’s Bridges. As noted earlier, Monk lacks consistency and he also isn’t great defensively. Washington, from what I’ve gathered, should be a solid pro. But he’s not going to blow anyone away with his talents. He’s just a really good player. With Bridges, he has the work ethic and skill set to be a special player if everything falls into place. And he really wants to get better. It’s not an act. He is the type of player you can build a franchise around and he can also be the face of the organization. He’s probably going to wind up as their best draft pick since selecting Walker in 2011.
Based on the team’s communications post-draft/free agency are they trying to make the playoffs this year or just develop young guys and see what sticks long-term? — via Twitter
Definitely the latter. As currently constructed, the Hornets have flaws and can’t be considered one of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference. They are far from it and are tabbed to be among the worst in the league period. Vying for the postseason is not something that’s truly a realistic goal. This season is going to be about building a culture, development and seeing which pieces could be worth building around as they reconstruct the roster following Walker’s departure. That’s what Hornets’ fans will have to focus on — the future — and not the 2019-20 win-loss results.
(Top photo of Rozier: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)