Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets 2017-2018 starting lineup

By Jerry Stephens

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 20: Teammate Kemba Walker
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 20: Teammate Kemba Walker /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – JUNE 23: Rich Cho, General Manager of the Charlotte Hornets, introduces Dwayne Bacon and Malik Monk to the media at a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 23, 2017 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – JUNE 23: Rich Cho, General Manager of the Charlotte Hornets, introduces Dwayne Bacon and Malik Monk to the media at a press conference in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 23, 2017 at the Spectrum Center. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Sixth Man: Malik Monk

Age: 19 (2/4/1998)
2016-2017 Shooting Stats: 45% FG/ 39.7% 3P/ 82.2% FT (College)
2016-2017 Averages: 19.8 PPG, 2.3 APG, 2.5 RPG, 32.1 MPG (College)
Accomplishments: SEC Player of the Year, Jerry West Award (Nation’s Top Shooting Guard), 2nd Team Consensus All-American

Even though Michael Carter-Williams, Jeremy Lamb, Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller will all play important roles off of the bench, Monk will be the sixth man. The rookie should get free range on the offensive end to create for himself and others. He will obviously need some time to adjust to the speed and style of the NBA but Malik is the real deal and that Hornets didn’t take him at No. 11 to not get consistent minutes.

The Kentucky product can shoot, attack the rim and he is probably already the most athletic player on the Hornets’ roster. Ther is a case to be made that Charlotte has one of the strongest benches in the Eastern Conference. Malik Monk should lead the team’s bench unit with his scoring ability.

While Lamb and Kaminsky have shown in the past that they can average around 10 points per game with the second unit, Monk has the most upside of the three. Jeremy and Frank’s ceiling is rather low while Malik has star-ish potential. Steve Clifford must give the first round pick a long leash so that he can develop without feeling the pressure that he might be pulled if he has a couple bad plays.

Next: Hornets significantly improve their bench this summer

With more depth, Steve Clifford will have plenty of different options for his starting five. Cody Zeller could easily be inserted into the starting lineup and if the Charlotte Hornets want to go with more of an offensive approach, Malik Monk could be plugged in for MKG. While things could change depending on injuries, trades or how well each player performs in training camp/preseason, this is the most likely starting lineup for the team.

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