Season Highlight:

THE LUKA SHOW – the first season of the Luka Show was viewed by millions. Nielson polls show that the viewing audience of the first season was a diverse group of audience members from young and old, and from all walks of life demographically. He is special. He was so good to watch – showing the league exactly what he is capable of, time and time again.

TEAM ETHOS

The Charlotte Hornets have moved the pack around numerous times. The many incarnations of the Hornets have been one of speculation and attention. GM CraigB balances the young star power of Luka Doncic with a supporting cast of that is a real mix bag. The GM has managed to keep depth in nearly all positions. The acquisition of Wiseman in the recent draft definitely helps to solidify positions – shaping up as one of the best starting fives in the league. The Hornets have managed to maintain their future security in upcoming drafts; managing to amass a pick stash of all of their own seconds and firsts from 21-25. The team moved pieces to bring in three players in November that will be further unpacked later in the article. The Hornets shape up with a starting five of:

PG – Chris Paul

SG – Eric Bledsoe

SF – Luka Doncic

PF – James Wiseman

C – Jusuf Nurkic

Both the attacking and defensive game of this starting five are clear to see. The ATT/DEF split on this team is elite – a team that can lockdown some of the best in the league.

Season Lowlight:

Well, the obvious one is the fall at the final hurdle of the playoffs 19-20. I hate to bring up the past, and do not believe in dwelling on bygones, however as the article demands. The Hornets will want to, and I think will claim redemption in season two.

THERE’S A STARMAN - STAR PLAYER - Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic (ankle) out at least 6 games | NBA.com" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2" title="Luka Doncic (ankle) out at least 6 games | NBA.com">Luka ignites this team to a new level. His adaptable style of player is 2k gold and the engines love him. He has so many facets to his game that at times make it look as though any mix of players could surround him, and he would still win. Doncic is a bonafide star, and a potential MVP candidate coming into season 2021. The 4^th pick in the inaugural NSL draft, Doncic is an elite scorer, and with the likes of Paul and Bledsoe around him, I expect him to be even more productive this season. With the twin towers in Wiseman and Nurkic, Doncic will be able to find space time and time again. Predict the unpredictable for Luka this season!

 

DRAFT POWER

James Wiseman (Round 1, Pick 2)

James Wiseman" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" title="Warriors NBA Draft: Why Golden State is betting on James Wiseman">James Wiseman instantly makes this team better. At 7-1, Wiseman is a towering presence for any team. He is agile and athletic and has all the signs of a ‘once in a generation’ talent status on his shoulders. Obviously, his question marks are well documented, however for the Hornets he is worth taking a chance on in order to complete their starting 5. I also predict him being a 2k darling – he carries all the traits of a player who will be a smooth operator. 

TRADING POST
The Hornets made three key moves in the off-season thus far. They are listed below:

The Boston Celtics send Alex Caruso to the Charlotte Hornets. The Phoenix Suns send Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send Doug McDermott to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Charlotte Hornets send a 1st-Rounder (Cha) to the Phoenix Suns. The Portland Trail Blazers send a 2nd-Rounder (Por) to the Boston Celtics.

The Hornets give up their 1^st Round pick in 2025 for Alex Caruso. The trade adds a layer of depth in Alex Caruso, however secure him with an expiring contract. A suspect deal, but a brazen deal that could be the difference maker in maintaining depth on the bench.

 

The Charlotte Hornets send Duncan Robinson to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Minnesota Timberwolves send Khris Middleton to the Sacramento Kings. The Philadelphia 76ers send Dillon Brooks to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Philadelphia 76ers send Pascal Siakam to the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings send Ishmael Smith to the Charlotte Hornets. The Sacramento Kings send Joe Ingles to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Sacramento Kings send Lebron James and Boban Marjanovic to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Minnesota Timberwolves send a 2nd-Rounder (GS) to the Sacramento Kings.

 

The Hornets traded away Ishmael Smith for Duncan Robinson. A 32 year old Ish Smith for a 26 year old Duncan Robinson; a 6 million dollar contract vs a 1.66 million dollar contract; a once upon a time vs a player who showed their sharpshooting abilities in the most recent playoffs… I might be missing something.

 

The Charlotte Hornets send Dennis Smith, TJ Leaf and Dzanan Musa to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns send Chris Paul to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornet receive the All Star PG – Chris Paul, while the Suns receive Dennis Smith, TJ Leaf and Dzanan Musa. The Hornets get their guy. They get their floor general to run the ball and find Luka Doncic, and create the spacing for Wiseman and Nurkic. It very well could be a master-stroke. With Smith, Leaf and Musa not showing any signs thus far of being any more than bit-players, the acquisition of Paul could be a steal, even at his age.

TRADE GRADE – B+: Two Dikembes, and One ‘BOOM!’

I say ‘no,no,no’ to two of these moves, as I believe the Robinson would make this team better. Likewise I believe that while Caruso is a good get for the franchise, the fact they gave up a first for him seems a lot. Chris Paul is a ‘Boom!’ as I feel like his stock is super high, his ability to work alongside Bledsoe and Doncic will be amazing, and his NBA talents moving to Phoenix will be a great move for both Paul and the Suns.

 

BABY COME BACK – Free Agency

Kobi Simmons RFA – Hornets have already extended a qualifying offer to the young point guard.
They will be content to retain the young Simmons.

 

SEASON OUTLOOK

Season Status – Contender

Season Motto – No Injuries!

I think the Hornets have some stars in their ranks. They have a lot of signs that suggest they can contend and they have the assets to make things happen. I feel like they are a few moves away from being every more potent, but the team is shaping up nicely. The loss of some players I believe might be a hard pill to swallow. The Hornets were just outside of the last playoffs spot in the East, some might say unluckily, as the Philadelphia 76ers secured the spot with two more wins than Charlotte.