The Greensboro Swarm are more important to the Charlotte Hornets than ever before

As the Charlotte Hornets begin their journey for a rebuild, the Greensboro Swarm is the destination for many Hornets this season.

Life without Kemba Walker allows the spotlight to shine on Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges, arguably the Charlotte Hornets‘ most talented players moving forward. In order for the stars to shine, the Hornets have to surround them with role players that can make plays themselves, unlike what the roster provided Kemba Walker for the last eight seasons.

Management will make the development of the younger players top priority over winning. The Hornets have been a .500 team so long that this change of direction should be a relief to the fans who have watched mediocrity for so long.

A new direction of looking at the future gives hope and something to look forward to instead of the same old thing that fans have become accustomed to over the years.

Many fans are awaiting a twenty win (or less) season, giving the Hornets a valuable draft pick and a shot at drafting UNC’s freshman, Cole Anthony.

Twenty wins or forty wins, the Charlotte Hornets are going to roll with what they’ve got. Here are a few players that can benefit from the Greensboro Swarm the most during the 2019-20 season:

• The Martin brothers: Rookies Caleb and Cody Martin can be scoring and defensive assets after some time developing in the G-League. Cody was a second round pick and could end up playing on the Hornets roster more so than his twin Caleb, if he even makes the roster. The Martin brothers are from Mocksville, NC and could enjoy starting their careers close to their home in Greensboro.

• PJ Washington: The Hornets first round draft pick will start out on the Hornets roster but could also use time developing as he missed the entire summer league due to a foot injury. His delayed start has given him a disadvantage over the rest of his draft class that got the experience of Summer League. Expect PJ to spend some time in Greensboro if he doesn’t produce the scoring that the Hornets will so desperately need this season.

• Jalen McDaniels: The Hornets last draft pick in the second round was spent well on a 6’10” forward out of San Diego State. McDaniels came into the draft sort of as a sleeper pick and his length and talents make him a prospect with a lot of potential. Before throwing him into the fire, Jalen could benefit from being a star in Greensboro and proving himself to Charlotte that way. Charlotte is expected to sign him to a contract before the season begins.

• Robert Franks: This young forward signed late with the Hornets after going undrafted in June. With Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo‘s health always in question, it was important Charlotte found another big man to develop alongside Willy Hermangomez. At Washington State, Franks had seven double-doubles in his senior year.

The Charlotte Hornets have done a great job utilizing their G-League affiliate since it debuted in the 2016-17 season. We’ll see if they can keep up that success during the 2019-20 season. The development of players using the G-League has become more important than ever for Charlotte.