Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the best articles from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.
The team’s PR confirmed that Jeremy Lamb did not reinjure his hamstring versus the Spurs. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at which Charlotte Hornets‘ player is most likely to be traded this season, if Michael Kidd-Gilchrist should change positions and Marcus Paige drops 27 points in Greensboro Swarm loss to the Maine Red Claws.
Hornets player most likely to be traded (FadeawayWorld.com)
"MKG isn’t really a reliable source of anything at Charlotte and considering his proneness to get hurt, it’s safe to expect the Hornets to try and move him and some desperate team trying to get him as a high risk-high reward pickup"
This article ranks MKG as the fifth most likely starter in the NBA to be traded this season. Derrick Favors, Tyson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan and Thaddeus Young round out the top-five. While it’s not out of the question for Charlotte to want to move Kidd-Gilchrist, I don’t think that there is a market for the forward. I don’t see many teams wanting to give up anything significant to get him.
Unless the Hornets are looking to shed salary and/or tank, then I think Michael will remain with the team. Other players that I think could be traded are Marvin Williams and Frank Kaminsky as Charlotte could use a significant upgrade at power forward. An interesting name to watch out for if is Nicolas Batum. If Jeremy Lamb keeps playing well and Nic struggles, trade rumors could swirl. Although, with his significant elbow injury, I doubt any other team will want to bite.
Should MKG move to power forward? (FanSided.com)
"Defensive wizard Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who swats over a block per 36 minutes, could be an effective power forward, where his shooting woes would be less detrimental."
I think MKG will eventually have to change positions at some point in his career. If he played for another team, it might’ve already happened as most of the league is willing to use small ball lineups. Steve Clifford has insisted on using the former Kentucky Wildcat at the three despite his poor outside shooting that hasn’t improved much over the years.
Although he would need to bulk up a bit, at 6’7 and 232 pounds, Kidd-Gilchrist wouldn’t be that undersized against most power forwards. He’s a great individual perimeter/post defender and his offensive skillset might be better utilized as a big rather than as a wing. This would also allow Charlotte to play a three who could spread the floor. It’s a move that both the player and team could benefit from but based on Coach Clifford’s unwillingness to experiment with lineups, I don’t see this ever materializing.
Marcus Paige scores 27 in Swarm loss (Gleague.NBA.com)
"The Maine Red Claws used hot shooting from three-point land, cruising to victory over the Greensboro Swarm, 135-111. Maine finished one three-pointer shy of the franchise record, making 23 of 45 attempts in the win."
Next: LeBron praises Kemba's offensive ability
Greensboro was blown out on NBATV as they couldn’t stop Maine. With the loss, the Swarm falls to 3-6 on the year. They have now lost two straight and five of their last six games in total. Marcus Paige dropped a season-high 27 points with four made three’s. His previous high was 20 points. After the game, Jalen Jones and Charles Cooke were recalled to the New Orleans Pelicans.