![]() ![]() ![]() Either Kaminsky or Cody Zeller has to look like a top-10 pick (preferably both), Lamb and P.J. That means getting Jefferson back to his 2013-14 All-NBA level (21.8 points, 10.8 boards) and finding a role for Walker that pushes his field-goal percentage north of 40. If there is a way to survive Kidd-Gilchrist's absence, it starts with pulling this offense out of the cellar. "Their defensive rating has ranked in the top 10 when Kidd-Gilchrist is healthy and worse than average without him." "The Hornets have gone 62-55 (.530) with Kidd-Gilchrist in the lineup the past two seasons and 14-33 (.298) when he has been unavailable to play," ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton noted. The 22-year-old is their best defensive weapon, a constant source of unrelenting hustle and, according to the stat sheet, their biggest key to playoff contention. Jeremy Lamb should get the opportunity he never received during three seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Jeremy Lin should benefit from moving well outside the spotlight.Įven with an entire season to play out, it's hard not to wonder whether Kidd-Gilchrist's injury has derailed the Hornets' playoff train before it's even left the station. And he arrived at the steep price of upside-rich prospect Noah Vonleh and steady vet Gerald Henderson.īoth Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes have the perimeter touch to free up Al Jefferson underneath, but there will be defensive question marks with any lineup featuring two of the three. But he's coming off the worst season of his seven-year career, where a nagging wrist problem sent his conversion rates plummeting (40.0 percent from the field, 32.4 from deep). He is basketball's version of a five-tool player, someone who can shoot, distribute, slash, rebound and defend multiple positions. Nicolas Batum, acquired in a June trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, could make or break this offseason. They focused more on quantity than quality, shedding non-shooters such as Gerald Henderson and Lance Stephenson, while spreading serviceable gunners all over the floor. The Hornets spent the summer trying to spark their 28th-ranked offense, paying particularly close attention to their anemic three-point attack (31.8 percent, 30th). Subtractions: Lance Stephenson (trade), Noah Vonleh (trade), Gerald Henderson (trade), Bismack Biyombo (free agent), Mo Williams (free agent), Jeffery Taylor (overseas), Jason Maxiell (overseas) Additions: Nicolas Batum (trade), Frank Kaminsky (draft), Jeremy Lamb (trade), Spencer Hawes (trade), Jeremy Lin (free agent), Tyler Hansbrough (free agent) ![]()
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