Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
The Washington Wizards were able to defeat the Boston Celtics in Game 6 and force a crucial Game 7 after John Wall‘s game-winning three. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at draft prospects talking about possibly playing for the Charlotte Hornets, the team’s lottery odds and addressing the backup point guard spot this offseason.
Draft prospects talk about playing for the Hornets (NBA.com)
"“Kemba [Walker’s] a New York guard. I feel like [the Hornets] need that one guard who comes off the bench and knocks down shots and also backup Kemba. I feel like I can create that role and play defense on the floor well,” stated Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell"
Donovan made a strong case for himself to fill Charlotte’s backup point guard spot during his interview. Wake Forest big man, John Collins, said that it would be “legendary” to play for the Hornets. UNC forward, Justin Jackson, mentioned that “It would be cool” because he could watch Tar Heel games in person and keep those relationships.
All three of these players are projected lottery picks and could be possible selections for the Hornets. Their interviews could go a long way in deciding who the team wants to take in June. I would say that Collins and Mitchell just moved up my list after their interviews.
Closer look at Charlotte’s lottery odds (HoopsHabit.com)
"1st: 0.8%, 2nd: 0.9%, 3rd: 1.2%, 11th: 90.7%, 12th: 6.3%, 13th: 0.1%, 14th: 0.0%. Essentially, there’s a 97 percent chance the Hornets will own either the 11th or 12th pick."
In all likelihood, the Hornets will pick 11th in the 2017 NBA Draft. Their second best chances are to drop down a spot to 12 but it is highly unlikely that they move up at all. They only have a 2.9% chance of landing a top-three spot. Crazier things have happened but considering Charlotte’ bad luck in the lottery, fans should hope for the best but expect the worst.
May 16th will be an important date for every lottery team as they all have a slight glimmer of hope to somehow land the top overall pick. Deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, will announce the picks one by one. Maybe the ping pong balls will fall the Hornets’ way for once and this will be a lottery to remember.
Team must address the backup point guard spot this summer (BleacherReport.com)
"Plain and simple, this is a backup point guard issue. And if Charlotte doesn’t address it, Walker will once again have trouble maintaining his level of play during the middle portion of the season, even if he can use the All-Star break to recharge and lead a second-half charge."
Next: Bam Adebayo wants to play in Charlotte
This has already been singled out as the Hornets’ main need this offseason. Ramon Sessions, Briante Weber and Brian Roberts aren’t the answer going forward. The only question now is how Rich Cho will try to fill Kemba Walker‘s backup spot: through the draft, with a trade or in free agency?