Charlotte Hornets: What would a potential playoff rotation look like?

The Charlotte Hornets have used many different lineup combinations throughout the season, and that could come into play during a potential playoff run.

Charlotte Hornets Head Coach James Borrego has a tough job.

Better yet, every Head Coach in this league have a tough job. Borrego has constantly been tinkering with multiple different lineup and rotation combinations all season long, and if the Hornets end up in the playoffs, finding a rotation for postseason basketball is going to be even tougher.

We all know it, playoff basketball is much different than regular season basketball. Rotations are typically shortened, you lean on your starters much more, and you’re going to want a strong defense. Games are also usually played at a slower pace and in the half court.

First things first, the Hornets are going to need to take care of business and get into the playoffs. Until that happens, Borrego won’t be thinking about any potential postseason rotations. However, that’s where I come in.

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Getting to the playoffs is not going to be easy. Charlotte has one of the more difficult schedules remaining, and if they want to get to the playoffs, they’re going to have to play some near flawless basketball.

It seems as if Borrego has struggled to find a rotation to his liking consistently throughout the season. We’ve seen Frank Kaminsky, Willy Hernangomez and others bounced from the rotation time and time again.

Most recently, Borrego has removed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Malik Monk from the rotation completely. Both have picked up the dreaded DNP-CD for three consecutive games now.

Overall, the Charlotte Hornets have used seven different starting lineups this season. Borrego does seem comfortable with the current starting five of Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum, Miles Bridges, Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller, but that lineup has a record of 2-5 in seven games.

If this is the starting five they (hopefully) enter the playoffs with, then it’s safe to assume that Jeremy Lamb and Tony Parker are locks to play key roles with the second unit. Lamb’s scoring will be important, as will Parker’s playoff experience.

Who plays with them, though?

In my opinion, it should be Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Frank Kaminsky. MKG’s defensive versatility could come up huge in a potential playoff series. He is more than capable of guarding the opposing teams best player.

Kaminsky, meanwhile, has been making the most of his recent playing time. He’s coming off a season-high 20 points against Miami, and is averaging 17.7 points in the month of March. He brings some needed three-point shooting to the front court.

It would be hard not to play Kaminsky at the moment, but a lot can happen between now and the start of the playoffs.

With all of that being said, that would give the Hornets a nine-man rotation for the playoffs. They typically play nine guys right now, so it would not be a drastic chance.

If Charlotte does end up in the playoffs, they will likely face off against either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors. They would not be favored in either series, but making the playoffs is a pride thing for a lot of teams, and the Hornets simply just want to win games and get some of that playoff experience.

It will be interesting to see what kind of lineups the Hornets use to close the season, and what kind of lineups they will use during a potential playoff run.

Like I said, James Borrego has a tough job.