Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
We are only one day away from the start of the NBA Finals this year. As for the Charlotte Hornets, their pre-draft workouts have been pushed back a week and will now start about a week into June rather than June 1st. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at how Harry Giles could be a steal for Charlotte, Emeka Okafor‘s NBA comeback attempt and is Marvin Williams expected to be moved this summer?
Hornets select Harry Giles in latest mock (BleacherReport.com)
"It’s not much of an exaggeration to say Duke’s Harry Giles could wind up as the best prospect from this class. That’s gross hyperbole for most prospects, but not Giles, whose injury-riddled path to the draft has left him with little in the way of proven resume outside of superb, NBA-ready athleticism."
Taking Giles at No. 11 is risky. Charlotte’s not in the business of taking risks after so many failed draft picks. The truth is, while Harry could end up being a star player in the NBA a few years from now, it is unlikely that Rich Cho risks his future by taking this big of a risk. Although, I for one would not be against drafting Giles. He will surely be available in the lottery but maybe the Hornets should think about trading back in order to select the Duke product later in the first round.
Even if they selected him with their current pick, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch because even though Giles is projected to go 20th overall (DraftExpress.com), it wasn’t that long ago that he was the highest rated prospect int he 2017 class and was expected to be the first overall pick. With all things considered, there is simply too much risk involved for me to see Cho and MJ making this move even if it is the right one.
Emeka Okafor attempting NBA comeback (Twitter/ @APKrawczynski)
"Emeka Okafor has been cleared to return to action, is working out and is determined to return to the NBA. Okafor last played in 2012-13 with Washington, but was sidelined by a herniated disc in his neck. But he’s been working out and is ready."
Despite being out of the league for the past four seasons, the 35-year old big man is setting his sights on an NBA return. Apparently, he has already been in contact with a few teams regarding his comeback. Considering that he almost averaged a double-double with 9.7 PPG and 8.8 RPG during his last year with the Washington Wizards, it makes sense why a couple of teams are at least monitoring his situation.
“Should Charlotte bring Okafor back to the Queen City?” will be one question that will arise. At one point, he was the then-Bobcats’ first ever pick as the second overall selection in the first round of the 2004 draft. He was the best player on the team for a few years but at this point in his career and with the Hornets’ roster makeup, it is a bit illogical for them to bring him back.
Marvin Williams expected to be traded? (DetroitSportsNation.com)
"Some players expected to be dealt this off-season are Carmelo Anthony, Brook Lopez, Jimmy Butler, Ricky Rubio, Eric Bledsoe, and Marvin Williams just to name a few."
Next: Rumor: Kemba is not on the trade block
I’m not sure how high Williams’ trade value is considering that he’s almost 31-years old and coming off of a down season with about three years and $42 million left on his current contract. I think Charlotte would be hard pressed to find a deal involving Williams that would work in their favor. For that reason and also because Steve Clifford loves him, I don’t see the power forward being moved this summer.