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Charlotte Hornets: Five players to watch during preseason

By Jerry Stephens

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 31: The Charlotte Hornets huddle up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 31, 2016 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 31: The Charlotte Hornets huddle up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 31, 2016 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 15: Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets participates in a Jr. NBA Clinic in New York, New York on August 15, 2017. 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 Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 15: Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets participates in a Jr. NBA Clinic in New York, New York on August 15, 2017. 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 Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Our first chance to see the 2017-18 Charlotte Hornets will be in the preseason and there is plenty to watch for in their five exhibition games.

With the season starting nearly two weeks earlier than usual, the Charlotte Hornets will only play in five preseason games this year. Their first will be against the Boston Celtics on October 2nd away from home. Three of their five exhibition games will be on the road with the last two being in Charlotte versus the Celtics (Oct. 11th) and the Dallas Mavericks (Oct. 13th).

In their other two games, Charlotte will take on the Detroit Pistons (Oct. 4th) and the Miami Heat (Oct. 9th). Even though these games are essentially meaningless because they won’t count towards the regular season, there is still plenty to keep an eye on including individual players and roster spots that are up for grabs. Here are five players to watch for:

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1. Malik Monk

The Hornets’ first-round pick has missed almost the entire offseason because of a serious ankle injury. Monk sat out all five of Charlotte’s summer league games so the preseason will be everyone’s first in-game look at the highly rated shooting guard prospect out of the University of Kentucky.

Although there was still some concern because of his ankle, Malik has been practicing during training camp and was at the team’s open practice.

Monk is arguably the most exciting player the Hornets have drafted in some time. There is plenty of hype surrounding the lottery pick. The preseason will be a good chance for Malik to not only prove himself at the NBA level but to also get acclimated to the speed of the pro game which he missed out on during the summer.

His performance, whether good or bad, probably won’t do much for his playing time to start the regular season. Steve Clifford is expected to bring him off of the bench in a sixth man type role and that shouldn’t change based on a few preseason games.

These exhibition games are more about how he fits with the team, growing chemistry with his teammates and remaining healthy for the regular season.

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