It has been a rough season so far for the Hornets, who have battled the injury bug and rank 13th in the East with a 6-15 record. However, the emergence of forward Jalen McDaniels as reliable rotation piece has been a bright spot, writes Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer.
The No. 52 overall pick in the 2019 draft, McDaniels appeared in 118 games in his first three seasons, averaging 17.7 minutes per contest. This season, that number has jumped to 25.8 MPG and he has played in all 21 of Charlotte’s games to date, averaging new career highs in PPG (9.7), RPG (3.6), and APG (2.2), among several other categories.
“It feels great because I really know I’m not supposed to be here,” McDaniels said. “Statistics for the second-round, 52nd pick, 54th pick or whatever it was is like, ‘Not supposed to be here, out (of) the league second year.’ That’s what the statistics say. So it’s just me being an underdog. Even in high school I wasn’t recruited like that until my last year. I just know how this goes, I feel like I’ve always got to take the long route every time I do something.”
Having signed a four-year contract as a rookie in 2019, McDaniels will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in 2023 if he doesn’t sign an extension before then.
Here’s more from around the Southeast:
- Kristaps Porzingis may be the primary factor in determining how far the Wizards can go this season, according to David Aldridge of The Athletic, who says the big man being healthy and productive at both ends of the court is crucial to the team’s success. Porzingis’ effectiveness as a rim protector this season has helped improve a Washington defense that ranked 25th in defensive rating in 2021/22, Aldridge notes.
- After having his 2023/24 team option declined last month, Magic wing R.J. Hampton doesn’t have a defined role in Orlando in the short- or the long-term, but he’s not letting that bother him, according to Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel. “It really (doesn’t) change anything,” Hampton said when asked about his fluctuating minutes. “The coaches give me confidence every game whether I’m playing or not. My teammates give me confidence every game, so whether I don’t play for two games or 10 minutes (in) one game, I feel like I’ve been prepared by them.”
- Hawks rookie AJ Griffin tells Spencer Davies of BasketballNews.com that he has felt at home in Atlanta, which has made the adjustment from college to the NBA smoother. “Just the love from the veterans here, I appreciate it. I just really enjoy being here and being able to play with everyone and being able to play on the court with each other. It’s special so far,” Griffin said, singling out guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. “It’s fun to watch, just to be able to play with those guys. It’s still early in the season, and I feel like something special is brewing.” Griffin only played double-digit minutes once in Atlanta’s first nine games, but has done so in all 12 games since then, averaging 21.4 MPG during that stretch.
Griffin was a very solid pick for the Hawks. I honestly wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him develop into one of the more complete two-way players from the draft.
He obviously has a ways to go, but he’s show8ng alot of promising signs so far that he can be a very solid, two-way wing for a contending team.
I had him significantly higher. I’d have to check my list where, but regardless, it was a great fit for them for him to fall there, especially after they lost some of their depth on the wing/at the 4 over the last year after the Reddosh and Huerter trades
Which young SE division duo would you rather have on your team if you could have them for their entire career, Jalen McDaniels/Mark Williams, Johnny Davis/Isaiah Todd, Jalen Johnson/AJ Griffin, Nikola Jovic/Jamal Cain or RJ Hampton/Caleb Houstan? Rank a top3 if possible
I dont think it’s close. Jalen Johnson at the 4/5 and AJ Griffin at the 4/3/2 is the clear pick
There is upside for a couple of those other tandems, but a lot has to happen there, and also could just be dependent on who else is on their rosters. I will say Jovic has exponentially improved since summer league, and is useful in certain matchups for small stretches, especially b/c they dont have anyone else at that spot, so we’ll have to see how that develops over the next 2+years
The Hornets need some Draft gambles to pay off. They have been hit with a pretty unlucky run of unfortunate circumstances, and injuries the last half-year or so. Glad there is a bright spot in Charlotte this season
I feel not signing Kemba was a mistake. There is no loyalty with the Hornets. Why bring back a coach you fired should never have happen. Bridges lady has shown she is bi-polar and has attacked Miles. He was stupid and hurt her but give a contact for this year see if takes if not move on. Bridges they need. Trade everyone but Ball and Bridges. Get a real big!
Redemption for Bridges will hopefully be Attorney’s & custody of his son. It looks more & more like these 2 were not a couple at the time, and this girl set-up Bridges costing her own son, and Bridges a serious payday. Posting the phone Video of a coached little boy saying daddy hit mommy? It was obvious this girl is a nut-job, and wanted to hurt Bridges, more than help him. Doesn’t add up if she was a victim, and just wants to help Miles. I am not buying it. I think she was upset he was about to be paid, and she was not along for the ride. Typical selfishness
I was a fan of Jalen McDaniels at the 4/3, and think he probably would have gone higher, but if I recall correctly, he had an ankle issue, and there was some rawness to him, and he hadnt played much recently heading into his draft. They’ve had a lot of depth at his positions these Lst couple of years, but losing Bridges obviously opened up time for him