Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets add Jay Hernandez as an assistant coach
Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.
Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly “not in a good place right now.” (OregonLive.com) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at the Charlotte Hornets hiring of Jay Hernandez, Nicolas Batum being named to France’s roster for European qualifiers and the debacle surrounding Kemba Walker.
Hornets hire Jay Hernandez (Twitter/ @MikeAScotto)
"Former Orlando Magic assistant coach Jay Hernandez has agreed to join James Borrego’s staff as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets, league sources told The Athletic."
James Borrego’s staff is slowly coming together as Hernandez is the second addition after the hiring of Jay Triano as Charlotte’s top assistant. Hernandez has been with the Orlando Magic since 2014 and was a player development coach during his first three years in the NBA. He was promoted to an assistant last season.
This hiring follows the Hornets’ new direction of better player development. Hernandez is a proven developmental coach in the league and should help continue the growth of Charlotte’s young prospects like Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon. It’s worth noting that Borrego and Hernandez worked together in Orlando from 2014-15.
Batum named to France’s 14-man list (SportingNews.com)
"Nicolas Batum is set to return for France and play for the first time in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers after being named on Friday in the 14-player squad for their games at Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia in the third window."
Nic missed last year’s EuroBasket tournament because of personal reasons but is back in the fold for France this summer. Fellow NBA players Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert were named to the 14-man roster as well. Nando De Colo and Boris Diaw are also players who have NBA experience that made the list.
The upcoming games for France are extremely important and it should be good for Batum to play in meaningful games this offseason. The 29-year old has been one of France’s best players over the past few years. France will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 29th and Russia on July 2nd.
Kemba Walker won’t be a bargain forever (BleacherReport.com)
"Flipping Walker would be the natural next step in a prospective teardown. His $12 million salary should more than double as a free agent next summer, and shelling out near-max money for a then-29-year-old point guard doesn’t jibe with a typical rebuilding window."
The Hornets are in a tough spot going forward. They have to make the decision on whether or not to pay Kemba once his contract runs out after the 2018-19 season. He will likely command more than $20 million per year which will only further Charlotte’s salary cap issues. If they give Walker a max-deal, they will be paying him a lot of money well into his mid-30’s.
Next: Hornets met with Devonte' Graham at combine
For the past couple years, Kemba’s $12 million salary has been one of the best bargain deals in the entire league. That will come to an end next summer as he will finally get paid like the all-star player that he is. Whether it be from the Hornets or another team, Walker will see a significant pay raise.