Buzz City Beat: Two Charlotte Hornets players with trade value, Time to clean house?
Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
Kemba Walker and company fell back down to Earth with a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Clippers just one game after defeating the defending NBA champions on the road. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at two Charlotte Hornets‘ players who have trade value, if it’s time for Michael Jordan to clean house and the team trying to stay afloat with an uncertain coaching situation.
Two Hornets’ players with trade value (NBA.com)
"It’s hard to believe Atlanta won’t move Marco Belinelli (39 percent on 3-pointers), and that disappointing Charlotte won’t soon be in selling mode, with vets like Marvin Williams and/or Jeremy Lamb having value."
While many fans are calling for other players like Nicolas Batum and Michael Carter-Williams to be traded, the truth is that neither of them has much trade value at the moment. As for Marvin Williams and Jeremy Lamb, they are both having good seasons and are on reasonable contracts. If the Hornets do decide to have a fire sale, Marvin and Jeremy could be the first to go or they could be a packaged in a trade to help facilitate a deal.
Lamb is having a career year so they could get a nice return if they do choose to trade him. I also think Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has some trade value despite his limited offensive ability. Of course, Kemba Walker will have the most trade value and his future with the team is a bit uncertain considering that his current deal ends after next season but even without a commitment past 2018-19 with Charlotte be willing to move their best player?
Is it time for Michael Jordan to clean house? (WashingtonPost.com)
"Then there are the coach-front office tandems that came into this season with plenty riding on the line: Steve Clifford and Rich Cho in Charlotte and Alvin Gentry and Dell Demps in New Orleans. With Charlotte also heading nowhere, will Michael Jordan clean house and start over?"
If Charlotte fails to make the playoffs this season, I think it’s time for MJ to clean house. Even though Steve Clifford, Rich Cho and the current front office have had some success over the past few years, they’ve severely underperformed in 2017-18 and have had more than enough time to turn this franchise around. Both the Hornets’ head coach and GM were on the hot seat entering the season.
It was “do or die” for them so missing the postseason should signal the end of their time with the team. Although some may find it a bit unfair as Charlotte’s had more success under Clifford and Cho than they have in the year’s prior but it seems like the growth of the team has stalled a bit. With that being said, if the Hornets can find a way to turn things around, add a couple key players and make the playoffs, it could save Clifford and Cho’s jobs.
Charlotte trying to stay afloat despite uncertain coaching situation (NBA.com)
"There’s no clarity on the situation involving coach Steve Clifford, who has missed the last three weeks with a personal illness. The team is giving no updates or making any projections on his return, if he returns at all this season."
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The unclear coaching situation for Charlotte has got to be taking a toll on the team’s on-court performances. If Stephen Silas continues to coach the Hornets for the remainder of the season, how long will it be before he gets to implement his own system and maybe trade for players that he thinks would help? Because for now, the team is on autopilot. Hopefully, there is a positive update regarding Steve Clifford’s health in the near future.