Buzz City Beat: Charlotte Hornets tighten rotation, Austin Rivers?

Buzz City Beat is Swarm and Sting’s one stop for the latest news and stories from around the internet surrounding the Charlotte Hornets.

The Charlotte Hornets were able to end a two-game losing streak with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night in Uptown. After a slow start, Kemba ended up going off for thirty points; scoring twenty-one of his thirty points in the second half.

Also in this matchup, both Marvin Willams and Jeremy Lamb finished the game with a double-double. The Hornets must continue to get this kind of production from both of these players.

In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we will bring you news about the Hornets’ rotations, as well as a recommendation about their remaining roster spot. Without further a due, let’s get started!

Hornets got a victory and a message. Now we’ll see if it can be a breakthrough, too (CharlotteObserver.com)

"Borrego tightened his rotation, playing just eight deep in the second half when the Hornets outscored the Cavs 69-53. He leaned heavily toward experience and defense in the second half after the Hornets trailed by as much as 13 in the first half."

In the win over Cleveland, the Hornets limited who came off of their bench. The team was down by as much as thirteen points, and Coach Borrego made sure to have his best defenders in.

Malik Monk was one of the players who saw no minutes, while Willy Hernangomez did not see the court in the second half. The team also sat Kaminsky as well, resulting in a much smaller lineup.

Is Coach Borrego done with the poor defensive performances when the bench comes in? Will these limited players be part of any trade speculations in the weeks to come? It comes down to what Borrego thinks is right for the team.

Fans ask: Will Hornets fill that open roster spot? Would Austin Rivers make sense? (CharlotteObserver.com)

"The Washington Wizards traded Rivers as part of a package to the Phoenix Suns to acquire veteran Trevor Ariza. Rivers didn’t particularly fit the Suns’ rebuilding mode, so he accepted a modest buyout of his contract to be waived with the intent of becoming a free agent."

With Austin Rivers accepting his buy out, he is now a free agent, and he can sign with any team. Some Hornets fans would like to see him come to Charlotte. Rivers has been averaging 7.2 points per game this season.

If Charlotte decided to sign him, they would be undoubtedly getting a consistent scorer off the bench. Rivers has been a part of many teams and would be an interesting signing for Mitch Kupchak and the Hornets.

Every NBA Team’s Least Tradable Contract (BleacherReport.com)

"The Hornets overpaid him, even in the moment, but he at least registered as a fringe star. He dabbled in a little bit of everything—someone who would never be the best at anything on a great team, but who could, feasibly, thrive as a second or third fiddle in just about every area."

It is no secret that Nicolas Batum has been a thorn in the side for the Charlotte Hornets. The team has been unable to trade him because of his high and ridiculous contract that he is currently on.

Batum is definitely a player that some teams may need, and he may fit their schemes better, but the Hornets have not got a lot of production from the veteran. The only way that Batum could be traded is if the Hornets added a little more to sweeten the deal, or they would need to trade for another player whose contract is similar.

The Charlotte Hornets have a lot to think about as they are back at a .500 record. The team will look to increase their winning streak to two games, as they take on the Detroit Pistons in Uptown on Friday night.