Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets haven’t given up on Malik Monk, Sell high on Kemba?
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 Queen City team called up two-way player Mangok Mathiang from their G-League affiliate in the Greensboro Swarm for frontcourt depth after Frank Kaminsky suffered an ankle injury. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets not giving up on Malik Monk, if the team should sell high on Kemba Walker and Dwight Howard being in a league of his own.
Charlotte hasn’t given up on Malik Monk (CharlotteObserver.com)
"“I know this: There are not coaches on this staff that don’t believe in the kid, I think he’s done fine. But he’s playing behind some kids who are playing (better). Nobody is saying Malik is not going to be a good player. He’s 19 years old.”"
Even though the Hornets’ first-round pick has fallen out of the rotation, it’s good to know that they still think highly of him and believe in his game going forward. It’s easy to forget that Malik is only 19 and still has plenty of time to fix the holes in his game. Seeing other rookies around the NBA have success is a bit frustrating but it’s far too early to say that Monk was the wrong pick.
He’s already shown glimpses of his offensive ability with two games of 20+ points early in the season. He even had one game where he exploded for 18 points in one quarter. Malik has admitted that this is a “learning year” for him. The true test for Monk will be next season. We will see if he can get better and make the leap.
Should the Hornets sell high on Kemba Walker? (HoopsHype.com)
"Bobby Marks believes the Hornets would be wise to turn one of their starters “into a package of players” to help salvage their roster. The Pistons would presumably offer wing options like Stanley Johnson or Luke Kennard and injured starter Reggie Jackson in exchange for the 27-year-old point guard."
This is an interesting trade scenario between the Detroit Pistons and the Hornets. Charlotte would get a point guard who averages close to 15 PPG and is signed through 2019-20 while also getting a young player like Stanley Johnson or Luke Kennard. Both players are 21-years old but it’s hard to say who has more upside.
Kennard was on the team’s radar going into the draft and Johnson hasn’t panned out to be a star that most thought he would be. Of the two, Kennard would probably be a better fit because of his shooting ability.
Kemba’s trade value has never been higher. He is arguably a top-five point guard who is about to make his second consecutive all-star appearance. Any team with the need for a top-tier point guard should be willing to give up a young player and a first-round pick in order to acquire Walker. The question is, would Charlotte get more for him before the trade deadline or in the summer?
Dwight Howard in a league of his own (Twitter/ @HoopsHype)
"Dwight Howard: The only NBA player averaging 15 points, 12 rebounds and 50 percent shooting this season."
Next: 41 facts about the Hornets after 41 games
The closest player to matching these numbers is Karl-Anthony Towns who is averaging 20.2 PPG, 11.97 RPG while shooting 54% from the field. Dwight Howard’s 15.5 PPG, 12.4 RPG and 53.8% field goal percentage are the best numbers he’s put up since his last all-star game appearance in 2013-14. D12 has clearly turned things around this season and he’s been a perfect fit with the Charlotte Hornets.