Buzz City Beat: How the Charlotte Hornets can get Melo, Mike Tobey signs in Spain
Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
After the Charlotte Hornets‘ hosted a free agent point guard workout, Demetrius Jackson, Norris Cole and Nick Johnson all followed Kemba Walker on twitter. Start with your eye ball emojis. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at a potential trade for Carmelo Anthony, why Kemba Walker won’t play in NBA Africa exhibition and how Mike Tobey will play in Spain next season.
How the Hornets can trade for Carmelo Anthony (BleacherReport.com)
"Nic Batum to the Knicks; Carmelo Anthony to the Hornets. Carmelo could hang out with MJ all day, which would be fun, and, as a Jordan Brand athlete, beneficial. Also, he’d stay in the East, where a team built around him and Kemba Walker could do some damage."
Both Nicolas Batum and Melo are scheduled to make over $20 million the next two seasons. The only difference is that Nic’s runs through 2020-21 while Carmelo’s ends after 2018-19. While this trade could be made straight up, I don’t think it would help either side. The Knicks would likely hold out for a better offer and Anthony probably only wants to play with the Cavs or Rockets.
As for Charlotte, Nic is arguably a better fit for the team’s roster. Carmelo is a ball-stopper and while he may be a better scorer than Batum, the France international is a better playmaker which is what the Hornets are looking for. Plus, making a move for Melo would give the team an overabundance of forwards and a lack of guards. So while this would be a high profile trade, it probably wouldn’t be best for the Queen City team.
Kemba won’t play in NBA Africa game (CharlotteObserver.com)
"Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker will not play in an NBA Africa exhibition next month as a precaution following surgery in May on his left knee."
While Walker probably wanted badly to play in this game for the fans overseas, it’s best for his health and his upcoming season with Charlotte to continue his recovery. Even though it’s been about 10 weeks since the surgery that had an expected six-week recovery period, being cautious is the right approach. After two arthroscopic knee surgeries in as many years, the team can’t be cautious enough.
The Hornets probably don’t want Kemba’s first game action to be in an exhibition overseas without their training staff. The all-star point guard will still attend the event and be the captain for Team World alongside Dirk Nowitzki.
Mike Tobey signs in Spain (Twitter/ @KeithSmithNBA)
"Mike Tobey, who played with the Charlotte Hornets last year, has signed with Iberostar Tenerife in Spain for 2017-18."
Next: Every Hornets' player's 2017 rap album equivalent
Tobey spent most of the past season with Charlotte’s G-League affiliate in Greensboro but Mike did spend two 10-day contracts with the Hornets. He appeared in only two games but was an integral part of the Swarm. Now he will continue his professional career in Spain’s top league with the team that finished in fifth place last year.