It may be time for the Hornets to start looking for their point guard of the future, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer contends.
Kemba Walker, the franchise’s most valuable player, is just one season away from unrestricted free agency. Bonnell notes that Walker loves the city of Charlotte, but location preference isn’t the only priority for the point guard. Walker previously said he wasn’t sure he could go through another rebuild.
The team’s best in-house option for the point guard spot is Malik Monk. However, the 2017 No. 11 pick spent some time at the one this season with mixed results. It’s unclear if the Kentucky product can be the type of playmaker necessary to be a starting point guard in the league.
Here’s more from Charlotte:
- Collin Sexton could be a nice option for the Hornets if he’s there at No.11, but the Alabama product would need to drastically improve his shooting if he wants to a top point guard in the league, Bonnell adds in the same piece. The scribe notes that Walker didn’t start playing at an All-Star level until he improved his outside shooting.
- Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a much better shooter than Sexton, though Bonnell (same piece) believes he would be a high-risk/high-reward selection. Both players are expected to be taken in the top half of the draft.
- Earlier today, we learned that the Hornets have agreed to hire Jay Triano as their top assistant under head coach James Borrego.
A recent report came out saying that the Kings and Hawks could opt for American frontcourt talent. If Ayton, Bagley III, and one of Jackson Jr, Bamba, or another go 1-2-3 then Doncic would slip to Memphis at 4. Memphis has been rumored to be listening to offers so maybe the Hornets can get something done with them.
Suns are taking Doncic man.
Suns are taking Ayton.
Reporters are talking lol
Taking Sexton means all your guards are short. Alexander will be steal at much lower than #6 IMO. He will be able to start the offense deep. Be careful about adding that weight though.
If SGA, either Bridges, Knox, or Walker are there for Charlotte, I feel that any of them would make sense. I could also see Trae Young potentially falling to them in some scenarios, although I dont think that would be a fit