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Charlotte Hornets: Top-10 Moments of 2016 for Buzz City

By Jerry Stephens

Dec 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) laughs with guard Nicolas Batum (5) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) laughs with guard Nicolas Batum (5) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Malachi Richardson (Syracuse) walks to the stage after being selected as the number twenty-two overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Malachi Richardson (Syracuse) walks to the stage after being selected as the number twenty-two overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Charlotte Hornets Trade Their First Round Pick for Marco Belinelli

June 23rd, 2016

In a move that first angered many, the team decided to move their first round pick, which was 22nd overall, to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Marco Belinelli. Now that some time has passed, everyone seems to think that Charlotte made a great deal and came out the winner. It’s hard to argue that with the results that the Italian has had with the team.

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The pick ended up becoming Malachi Richardson from the University of Syracuse. While he has only appeared in five games this season, Belinelli has played in 30 for Charlotte. Marco has had an immediate impact as the sixth man this season and while the rookie, Richardson, may develop into a nice talent one day, he wouldn’t be able to contribute to the team this season the way that Belinelli is.

With Charlotte’s poor draft selections over the past decade of so, it was pretty easy to deal their first round pick in 2016. Especially because it was a late first round pick and it is hard to find an instant contributor from that spot. Credit to Rich Cho for making the unpopular move that has since paid off.

The Italy international fits the mold for Steve Clifford’s team as a three-point threat off the bench. He has expanded his game to be much more than just a shooter as he has proved to be a much better defender and ball handler than expected. Trading the first round pick was controversial but it turns out that the Hornets knew what they were doing because Belinelli is a stud.

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