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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets need more from the bench, 2018 free agent stock watch

By Jerry Stephens

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Charlotte Hornets huddle before the game against the LA Clippers on December 31, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Charlotte Hornets huddle before the game against the LA Clippers on December 31, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.

The Charlotte Hornets are taking a bit of positive momentum into their matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers as they have won three of their last six games. (Yahoo Sports) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at Charlotte needing more from their second unit, the stock for the Hornets’ 2018 free agents and the three events that are shaping the season.

Charlotte needs more from the bench (BasketballInsiders.com)

"Howard is one of only three Hornets with a significantly-positive net rating. His +2.7 trails only Kemba Walker (+4.9) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (+4.5) on the team. The problem has been how those numbers fall off after the top six that includes Marvin Williams, Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb."

Although the Hornets’ second unit ranks 15 in the league in bench scoring at 37.3 points per game, they have been wildly inconsistent this season. They have a -3.3 defensive efficiency which is the eighth worst mark in the NBA. The most telling stat about the bench’s struggles is their poor shooting from the field. They shoot 40.9% which is second to last in the league. (HoopsStats.com)

We’ll see if Charlotte’s bench can turn things around during the second half of the season or if Rich Cho will make a move to help improve the second unit. The biggest problem has been when Kemba Walker leaves the court. The Hornets’ offensive rating differential is +4.7 with him on the court and a -14.2 with him off. (BasketballReference.com)

Hornets’ 2018 free agent stock watch (HoopsRumors.com)

"In theory Carter-Williams can fill the stat sheet if given an opportunity, but it’s hard to imagine he’s moved the needle enough at this point in the season to convince the front office to bring him back."

MCW’s stock wasn’t very high when Charlotte signed him this past offseason and after his poor play with the team so far this year, it’s hard to see him securing another deal in the summer. Maybe he will land with another team but the Hornets probably won’t re-sign him and there’s a chance that he could be out of the league if he continues to shoot 26% from the field. His stock has taken a major hit as he’s failed to turn things around this season.

Johnny O’Bryant and Treveon Graham are the only two other Hornets’ players who are set to be free agents after the 2017-18 campaign. JOB has looked good in short stretches and has been decent enough as an emergency big man off of the bench to be re-signed to a minimum deal. Graham has provided a spark off of the bench for Charlotte and will most likely be re-signed as his defense and ability to knock down open three’s has made him a reliable option. Both of their stocks have gone up this season.

Three events that are shaping the team’s season (AmicoHoops.net)

"1. Hornets draft Malik Monk 11th overall 2017 NBA draft. 2. Charlotte acquires Dwight Howard from Atlanta. 3. Nicolas Batum tears ligament in elbow in preseason, misses 12 regular season games."

Next: The Hornets have been historically bad in close games

The first of these three events has either had little to no impact or a negative one. Considering that Monk hasn’t played consistent minutes this year, Charlotte could’ve drafted an immediate contributor or they could give Malik more playing time. As for the acquisition of Dwight Howard, he has been one of the few bright spots for the team and has arguably been their second-best player. Months after suffering that elbow injury, Nic Batum finally seems to be getting healthier and returning to his old form.

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