Recent developments have the Charlotte Hornets potentially thinking about tanking but they remain set on making the postseason.
According to ESPN Insider Zach Lowe, “The free-falling Hornets could tank their way into something like the No. 7 pick, but they are designed to chase the postseason now — and will almost certainly continue along that path, barring major injury.” This seems to stick to the script of what the Charlotte Hornets and Steve Clifford have shown. They believe in the current roster enough to make the playoffs but with their poor form, tanking isn’t out of the question at this point.
Prior to the All-Star break, the Hornets finished the first half of the season with 24-32 record. They lost four straight entering the break and 18 of their last 23 games in total. As Lowe said, Charlotte’s “free-falling” and even though Kemba Walker is the lone bright spot being an all-star this season, their poor play could lead them to quit on the year and tank.
There were high expectations surrounding the Hornets before the season began but those have quickly been dashed after falling out of the playoff picture. Even though they are currently the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference, the team’s only 2.5 games behind the eighth-seeded Detroit Pistons. There is still hope that Steve Clifford’s side can turn things around in the second half of the season like they did last year.
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Although, that isn’t likely unless they add a player that increases their production. Charlotte’s direction isn’t quite clear yet but as the trade deadline comes closer, it should become more apparent. Depending on whether they are buyers or sellers will go a long way in telling the future of their season.
It would be hard for fans to accept a step back by tanking the remainder of the year. After the progress that was made by the franchise last season, many would view this as a “one step forward, two steps back” type of move. The Hornets still have the framework for a successful team but their chances of avoiding the eighth seed and avoiding the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first, let alone making the playoffs, grow fainter with each loss.
Also, looking at the Hornets prior draft history in recent years, many fans don’t want to see the team tank just to select another bust or underwhelming player. It’s difficult for any fanbase to accept tanking but in some cases, it may be the best move for the long-term outlook of an organization. But as Zach said, unless a major injury occurs to this roster, Charlotte will continue their pursuit of the postseason and potentially make it to the second round.
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It will be interesting to see what the Charlotte Hornets do going forward this season. No one quite knows their intentions as the team’s brass typically keeps things internal with very few leaks. We’ll have to wait and see if the team can turn things around in the second half of the season or if they will tank for a better pick in the lottery.