Should the Hornets Expect to See Change With Borrego and Kupchak This Season?

With less than a week until the preseason starts, the Hornets are ready to start the season with some new personnel at the top of the food chain. We are taking a look at how a new coach and general manager can change Charlotte’s future.

For the most part, summers in Charlotte have been filled with familiarity. A routine of keeping the same core coupled with attaining 2nd or 3rd string talent has been without fail: the saga of the Charlotte Hornets. For years, the almost identical routine has plagued the team and damned them to a position that’s not bad enough to tank, but not good enough to adequately compete in the NBA.

Charlotte Hornets

However, this summer has seen a drastic change for the Charlotte organization. Most notable being the firing of Rich Cho and Steve Clifford and the hiring of Mitch Kupchak and James Borrego. The many assistant coaches, a new G-League coach, new training staff, and other moves have been well noted.

However, what can be reasonably expected with the new front office and, for the most part, the same players? To answer this and many other questions, I’ve enlisted the assistance of new Site Expert of Swarm and Sting, Bryce Fields and the former Site Expert Jerry Stephens to answer questions regarding the team’s reasonable expectations. So thank you to the guys in advance, and let’s get started.

Q: As Borrego and Kupchak take over the Hornets, what differences can you see between the new and former leadership (Cho and Clifford)?

Jerry Stephens: With Mitch Kupchak and James Borrego at the helm, I see more transparency when they talk about the roster, rookies, players, and team goals. Rich Cho and Steve Clifford seemed to keep things to themselves, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I think the transparency works well with fans. I also think that Kupchak and Borrego have given the team a real direction. This team is trying to compete now with a mix of veterans and young players rather than tightrope tanking and competing, as the team has done in the past.

Bryce Fields: Personally, I think having new people taking the reigns in Charlotte are good for this team. The Hornets have been as average as it gets the last four years, and I believe it came from a mindset that that was alright. Kupchak has over 30 years of front office experience, so he knows how the game is played. I am really excited for the young James Borrego as head coach, and believe he will get the guys to play loose and have fun, while still demanding respect. I think they will bring a new culture to Charlotte.

Q: Does Borrego have a better chance of getting more from the same core?

JS: I think that he will. It remains to be seen if James Borrego is a better coach than Steve Clifford, but I believe that the Hornets’ players will, at the very least, get a first-year boost from having a new head coach and a new culture. Things seemed to have stagnated with Cliff in the locker room. Charlotte has a strong core and I think that they will be revitalized under Borrego and have a bit of a bounce-back season.

BF: I do believe Borrego will make this team better. He has spent the past three seasons under the best basketball mind in Gregg Popovich, and will use that knowledge to make the Hornets much more efficient and get the best out of the younger guys. Obviously making the Hornets a title contender is far-fetched, but he will utilize these players strengths well enough to get them to the playoffs.

Q: Does having Tony Parker really help Borrego install his own brand of offense?

JS: It definitely does. Tony Parker is like a coach on the floor. He was Gregg Popovich‘s go-to to command the offense. Having him direct the second unit and play alongside Kemba Walker at times will help the team get through tough stretches out on the floor. Parker‘s presence will also help in the locker room as his championship pedigree will go a long way in convincing everyone else to buy into Borrego’s style and system.

BF: Having Tony Parker’s experience in the NBA and with the system is huge for Coach Borrego. Parker will step right into a role where he can teach the young guys the system, while also running with the second-unit and getting the best out of them. Parker and Borrego are close in age, and will work well with one another in getting the system down-pat in Charlotte.

Q: Do you see Borrego using rookies more in the rotation?

JS:  I do. I think that James Borrego will use Miles Bridges fairly often. Bridges has an immense skillset that Charlotte needs to use immediately. It will be interesting to see exactly how Borrego uses him but I think that he will be an integral part of the rotation as opposed to Steve Clifford who didn’t rely heavily, or at all, on rookies. As for Devonte’ Graham, I think that his minutes will be limited because of how deep Charlotte is with Kemba Walker and Tony Parker at point guard. Still, he will get his chances and in a year or two, could be the primary backup.

BF: Borrego seems adamant in wanting to play the young talent on the roster, which is good in virtually all scenarios for the team. I believe latest first-round pick Miles Bridges is a huge factor in the Hornets present and future. Great scorer and rebounder with incredible athleticism, Borrego’s system is will put him in perfect situations to do what he does best: score the basketball. Devonte Graham won’t see many minutes with Kemba Walker and Tony Parker on the roster, but I could see him getting some minutes if there is injury or anything like that.

Q: If the Hornets struggle, do you see Kupchak pulling the trigger on trade market?

JS: If the team struggles, I could see Kupchak blowing it up rather than trying to get pieces to build a contender. I could be wrong but I think it would be easier and make more sense for Mitch to go through a total rebuild rather than trade future assets for a player who will help them squeak into the final few spots of the playoffs.

BF: After four years of essentially beings average, I believe it is time to either establish the Hornets as a solid team in the East, or begin the rebuild. Obviously I would like the Hornets to do well, but if they don’t, Kupchak is definitely going to start making moves. I think he would like to move players like Nicolas Batum or Marvin Williams (veterans with money tied-up), but he will also have to look at trying to acquire picks for young talent like Jeremy Lamb and Frank Kaminsky. Then, there is the looming question of Kemba’s future in Charlotte. We all want him to stay, but is trading him while his value is high the best option? I am glad Kupchak has to make that decision, not me!

Q: Where do you see the holes in this squad?

JS: The only major holes I see are at power forward and center. Marvin Williams is on the wrong side of 30 and getting up there in age. It’s unclear how much longer he can continue being a positive impact with his hustle play because his offense struggled last season. Frank Kaminsky needs to show that he is ready to take the next step while the starting center spot is up in the air between Cody Zeller and Willy Hernangomez. Both are good players but neither are really that far above average when compared to the rest of the league.

BF: The team is good in a lot of places, but not great. I think the starting lineup will be solid, but the bench has to step it up. I think the wing players need to be consistent shooting the ball, and the platoon of big-men Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, and a couple others need to do be able to hold the defense down. Honestly, we won’t know until the season is underway.

Q: Anyone on the trade block for you?

JS: I think that Jeremy Lamb could potentially be on the trade block. While I think that he is a good player and will be a big part of James Borrego’s plans, he is also on the final year of his contract, could leave in free agency, will command a fairly big market in free agency if he has a good year, and has arguably the most tradable contract on the roster besides the rookies. If the Hornets struggle, Lamb could be dealt to a contender.

BF: Biggest names on the trade block for me: Batum, Lamb, and (sadly) Kemba Walker. Batum was injured and underperformed last year, but if he bounces back, look for the Hornets to try to get rid of his contract. Jeremy Lamb had a career year last year, but with Malik Monk, Dwayne Bacon, and Bridges on the wing as well, he is expendable. Walker…. we all know his story. If Charlotte does well, expect him to stay in town. If they underperform, we could be seeing the best Hornet ever leave the team this year.