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Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets ideal draft fit, Stephen Silas joins Dallas

By Jerry Stephens

TUSCALOOSA, AL - JANUARY 27: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to maneuver by Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the game at Coleman Coliseum on January 27, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - JANUARY 27: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to maneuver by Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the game at Coleman Coliseum on January 27, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/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 New York Knicks aren’t expected to select a guard with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. (SNY.tv) In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at why Collin Sexton is the ideal fit for the Charlotte Hornets, Stephen Silas joining the Dallas Mavericks and Steve Clifford meeting with the Orlando Magic.

Charlotte Hornets ideal draft fit (YardBarker.com)

"Sexton is a tenacious competitor whose game has parts of Russell Westbrook, Eric Bledsoe and Patrick Beverly in it. The upside of drafting a kid with those traits is you know that he’s going to bring it every single night and wow you on nights where he has it all going. The downside of drafting a kid with those traits is you have to be patient while he learns to cut down on wild turnovers, play within himself and run a team like an NBA point guard."

Collin Sexton could land anywhere from 8-13 in the lottery. Although, he has been linked to Charlotte in most mock drafts. If Mitch Kupchak and the Hornets decide to trade Kemba Walker then the Alabama product is the logical pick at No. 11. As for the ideal fit, I think Mikal Bridges fits that mold.

If Charlotte keeps Kemba, they could use a wing player like Mikal who can both defend and knock down outside shots with consistency. This is also why I think Zhaire Smith is an intriguing option. Even if the Hornets don’t deal Walker, Sexton could be a quality backup point guard for the Hornets.

Stephen Silas joins the Dallas Mavericks (Twitter/ @TheSteinLine)

"Mavs coach Rick Carlisle announces Stephen Silas has joined Dallas’ staff"

Former Charlotte Hornets’ associate head coach Stephen Silas will be joining the Mavs’ coaching staff for next season. Silas was not retained by the Queen City team after Steve Clifford was fired and James Borrego was brought in. Silas had two separate stints with Charlotte and spent 10 years in total with the Hornets.

He is widely regarded as one of the top assistant coaches in the NBA today. Stephen interviewed for the Atlanta Hawks‘ head coaching vacancy this summer, was in the running to become the Houston Rockets‘ HC in 2016 and met with the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers for their top assistant role in 2016 as well. Silas replaces Melvin Hunt on Dallas’ staff who joined Lloyd Pierce’s staff in Atlanta.

Orlando Magic to interview Steve Clifford (OrlandoSentinel.com)

"In a sign they are widening their coaching search, the Orlando Magic will interview former Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford this week, The New York Times reported."

Clifford may be heading for a reunion with his former team. Steve was an assistant with Orlando from 2007-12. He has already met with the Phoenix Suns and was on the Milwaukee Bucks’ shortlist before they hired Mike Budenholzer. The former Charlotte Hornets’ head coach has garnered plenty of interest from teams but hasn’t been hired just yet.

Next: CHA hosted Fletcher Magee for a pre-draft workout

He is still hoping to land a head coaching gig this summer. Other candidates for Orlando’s HC opening include Kelvin Sampson and Tom Izzo. Blazers’ assistant David Vanterpool also interviewed with the Magic this offseason. It’s worth noting that Clifford almost joined Orlando in 2013 before deciding on Charlotte.

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