Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets crossroads, What to expect from Malik Monk
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The Charlotte Hornets‘ playoff odds are down to just 1% as they have basically been eliminated from postseason contention this year. (FiveThirtyEight.com) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at Kemba Walker coming to a crossroads with the team, how Malik Monk will close out the season and Mangok Mathiang being a two-way threat.
Hornets, Kemba coming to a crossroads (AmicoHoops.net)
"It’s not known whether Walker, at 27 and in the prime of his career, would want to be the centerpiece of another teardown and rebuild in Charlotte or if the team would look to move him for younger, cheaper assets."
It will be an interesting summer for Charlotte to say the least. Kemba was already being shopped/receiving trade interest this season and the team may be more willing to move him this offseason if the two sides do not agree on a long-term extension as he will be in the final year of his current deal next campaign. Not just that but the Hornets will also have to decide on what their direction is going forward.
If they want to rebuild, will Walker want to stick around and see things through or will he want to play for a contender? To add to that, Charlotte can’t risk having Kemba walk in free agency for free after next season. The two sides are coming to a crossroads and a decision will need to be made soon.
What to expect from Malik Monk (HashtagBasketball.com)
"Charlotte is short on good young players; they need Monk to hit. It is imperative they spend the last 17 games finding ways to put Monk is successful situations. The future of Monk and Charlotte depends on it."
After sitting on the bench for most of the season, the Hornets’ rookie will receive Michael Carter-Williams‘ backup point guard minutes to end the year. Monk isn’t going to take the world by storm and average 20+ points but he can take the opportunity to build some confidence, get quality reps and show why he was such a highly-ranked prospect coming out of college.
The goal for is for Malik to better his shot selection, work on his playmaking ability and improve on his shaky defense. If he can do all three of those things, it would be a successful end to a rather disappointing rookie season. These final games could determine whether or not he is going to be the team’s backup point guard heading into next year or not.
Mangok Mathiang is a two-way threat (Greensboro.com)
"Mathiang, who has been called up to the Hornets five times this year, knows he’s not likely to score 30 points a game. “I know if I go to (the NBA), I’m not going to be the go-to player, and I’m not going to be the second go-to player, so I try to bring something off the bench — rebounding and defense,” he says."
Next: Hornets approach former Cavs' GM David Griffin
The 25-year old is averaging 10.8 points per game, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks with Greensboro this season. Mangok plays his role as an interior defender and rebounder perfectly for the Swarm and Charlotte’s taken notice as they’ve called up the big man from the G-League. As the Hornets’ two-way player, Mathiang has spent most of his first season with Greensboro but is always ready when called upon if Charlotte needs him at the NBA level.