Charlotte Hornets Training Camp: What’s on the line for each player
The starting shooting guard spot
One of the top stories to track during training camp will be the battle for the starting shooting guard spot between Nicolas Batum and Malik Monk. Batum, the veteran and highest paid player on the roster, likely has the edge over Monk as of right now, but training camp will either help or hurt him.
Batum has been a disappointment ever since he landed that huge five-year, $120 million contract, but he has game and could have a bounce-back season with more touches coming his way. He was not very aggressive last season and tended to do a lot of standing around on the perimeter.
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Last season, Batum averaged just 9.3 points, but he was efficient and added 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists as well. I don’t think he was as bad as people made him out to be, but you’d certainly like to see an increase in production.
Still, Batum is a trusted veteran that should be starting, in my opinion. He’ll have legit competition from Malik Monk all season long, but the good thing about Batum is that he can play three different positions if need be.
The starting two-guard spot will be determined in training camp. It will be either Nicolas Batum or Malik Monk. If Batum continues to out-preform Monk, then I would expect him to at least open the season as a starter.