If the Hornets are going to turn the fate of their franchise around, they’ll have to improve how they handle lottery picks. Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer writes that only one of their seven different top-11 picks since 2011 has been an All-Star.
Bonnell breaks down ex-general manager Rich Cho‘s underwhelming draft portfolio noting that beyond Walker, only one of the remaining six players they’ve drafted in the top-11 has even gone on to be a consistent starter (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist).
To Cho’s credit, Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky and Malik Monk can all be valuable rotation pieces for the foreseeable future but it’s hard to justify the selections of Bismack Biyombo and Noah Vonleh.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Pending free agent Dwyane Wade has not decided if he’s going to retire or not. If he returns, Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports tweets, he’d want to return with the Heat.
- Not surprisingly, Anfernee Simons was particularly excited to work out for the Magic, the franchise with whom his namesake made his mark. John Denton of the team’s official site writes about the Florida native’s connection to the team and his decision to enter the draft directly out of prep school.
- It’s official, the Hawks have made Melvin Hunt, Chris Jent, Greg Foster, Marlon Garnett and Matt Hill assistant coaches under new head coach Lloyd Pierce, the team announced on its website.
Move Kemba and Dwight to Cleveland for the 8th pick, Clarkson,and Thompson.
I don’t see the benefit to the Cavs. With that trade to Cavs become….., the Hornets!
Cavs get a sharpshooter in Kemba who can get his own shot and get 20-30 a night. Plus they get Dwight to be a rim protector and he’s a better scorer than Tristan.
To what end though? They’re not competing without LeBron. Why stay old? Keep the pick and and rebuild.
I’m saying if Lebron stays bring in Kemba and Dwight. He could challenge Boston next year with Kemba and Dwight.
When Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is used as an example of your draft success, then you know you have not done well. He’s a decent player, but I don’t think anyone can say he’s not at least a disappointment as a pro thus far. Especially for a #2 overall pick.
With Dionis trade the Cleveland become a much better team, specially in a post-Lebron life, but man you killing Charlotte, I mean a good player in Kemba, a star center in Dwight, for a mid lottery pick & 2 absolute bums, specially Clarkson, at least TT does something every now & then… so you trying to fleece the poor Charlotte man. I would love to see Charlotte competing one day, but I am afraid while MJ is the owner they will never do anything, he is just not good at all. Can the team fire the owner? Didn’t think so, what a shame… SMH
Let’s go kemba to the knicks for 9th pick and anyone of the 3 point PG
That CHI-CLE pit stop in Wade’s career sticks out like a sore thumb. He should have been a Heat lifer.