Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
We are less than 70 days away from the start of the NBA season and Dwight Howard can’t wait. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets‘ biggest regret this summer, how far Kemba Walker can lead the team and Briante Weber signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hornets’ biggest regret this summer (BleacherReport.com)
"They could have targeted Ian Clark. Or they could have considered baiting Milos Teodosic with a larger share of the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception after trimming some salary. Instead, they settled on Carter-Williams too soon."
Charlotte and MCW agreed to terms on the first day of free agency. Rich Cho and the team aren’t ones to take risks. They get their business done early and the Hornets weren’t going to wait out the point guard market. In hindsight, it might’ve been a good idea to wait as they could’ve gone after a more proven or younger player.
Instead, they jumped the gun a bit and signed someone they probably could’ve waited til later on in free agency to get. Although, if Carter-Williams was their man all along, credit to the team for getting the player they wanted. Seeing Ian Clark sign for $1.5 million while Charlotte got MCW for $2.7 million may irk a few fans but we’ll see if the move pays off for the Hornets in the long run.
Can Kemba lead Charlotte deep into the playoffs? (HoopsHabit.com)
"There is more than enough time for the Hornets to get their offensive efficiency where it ought to be and there’s no reason why Charlotte can’t advance past the first round of the playoffs. As Walker goes, so goes the team."
The expectation is for the Hornets to get back to the playoffs. The goal for Charlotte is to make it out of the first round and win their first postseason series since 2002. Any success after that would just be gravy. A deep playoff run would be amazing but I think most would settle for a second round appearance. Even though the Eastern Conference has weakened, the top end teams will still be tough to beat, especially for the Queen City team.
The Cavaliers, the Wizards, the Celtics and the Raptors are the projected top four seeds with the Hornets right behind them. If that’s how the standings play out this year, Charlotte will need to defeat one of those four teams in the first round which will be a difficult task. Seeding will be key and while this team will only go as far as their best player takes them, they need everyone else to step up their games as well.
Briante Weber lands in LA (ClutchPoints.com)
"The Los Angeles Lakers and Briante Weber have agreed to a one-year deal, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical."
Next: 2017-18 playoff predictions: Moving forward for Charlotte
After spending half a season with the Hornets, Charlotte waived Weber prior to his August 1st guarantee. He now lands in LA on a partially guaranteed deal and will look to make the Lakers’ regular season roster. It will be tough as they already have three point guards under contract in Lonzo Ball, Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Ennis.