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The 2019-2020 NBA season starts October 22nd and to get you ready for tip-off, Off the Glass is previewing all 30 teams. Today we look at the Charlotte Hornets.
2018-2019 Record: 39-43, 2nd in the Southeast Division.
Season Recap: The Hornets began last season hoping that they had enough to get to the playoffs. They had a new coach in James Borrego and they had signed future hall of famer Tony Parker. Their team was intact from the year before with All-Star Kemba Walker along with Jeremy Lamb, Cody Zeller, Marving Williams, and Nicolas Batum. The Hornets were capped out with this roster and had no way to improve their roster, but with Walker, they had a chance. Walker was great last season and earned a spot on the All-NBA 3rd team for the first time in his career. Sadly, it was not enough to get the Hornets to the playoffs.
Key Losses: Kemba Walker, G; Jeremy Lamb, G; Frank Kaminsky, C; Shelvin Mack, G; Tony Parker, G;
Key Additions: Terry Rozier, G;
Preview: The Charlotte Hornets are in line to be the worst team in basketball next season. Their handling of their franchise player, Kemba Walker, should be a cautionary tale for teams in the league. Walker was eligible for a supermax and instead of offering it to him, they chose to offer him significantly less and he left the team in free agency. The Hornets were able to sign Terry Rozier from the Celtics to try and replace Walker. Rozier will finally get his shot to be the guy without worrying about being relegated to the bench. He is joining a team that lost its top two scorers and returns only two players that averaged double figures in scoring in Marvin Williams (10.1 points per game) and Cody Zeller (10.1 points per game). The Hornets will have to find ways to score and hope that some of their young guys really step up. Malik Monk and Miles Bridges are going to get their shot to be a huge part of the rotation. The Hornets focus has to be on developing their young talent and finding out what they have.
Player to Watch: Malik Monk
Team X-Factor: Can they score?
Worst Case Scenario: Charlotte becomes the worst team in the NBA and they are forced to wait until the draft for any semblance of hope because there are no teams willing to take their terrible contracts.
Best Case Scenario: Malik Monk and Miles Bridges provide excitement for this franchise moving forward and form a nice trio with Terry Rozier that can get fans excited about the future.
Actual 2019-2020 Prediction: 19-63, 5th Southeast Division