Charlotte Hornets: Grading Terry Rozier’s 2019-2020 Season

In an NBA season that looks to remain abridged, Terry Rozier proved he was worth bringing aboard for the Charlotte Hornets. Here is his 2019-2020 final grade.

It’s a bit weird knowing that in a normal world, the NBA playoffs would be in full swing. Normal or not, the Charlotte Hornets would be through with their season, with the team missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

It’s not all gloom and doom, however, at least not on this front. There were several bright spots for this young team, and one of those was a guy essentially brought in to replace the team’s greatest player. No pressure, right?

Well, not exactly. Very few players could replace Kemba Walker, but Terry Rozier did an admirable job when put to the task. The 6’1″ guard out of Louisville was brought in via a sign and trade deal that would swap the two, along with draft picks, in July of 2019.

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Understandably, many balked at the idea of anyone replacing Walker, especially to the tune of $58 million over three years for a guy who still had a lot to prove. Before joining Charlotte, Rozier had only started 30 games for the Boston Celtics and while he had played well, many were unsure of his ability to fully lead a team.

His previous career-high averages of 11 points and 3 assists per game didn’t do much to impress Hornets fans who already felt jilted by the team’s inability to keep their biggest star. A fresh start and a chance to prove himself were all he needed, though, as he quickly assumed a leadership role as one of the team’s best players.

Notching career-highs of 18 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game while also elevating his field goal percentages to nearly 41% from behind the arc and 42% overall, Rozier made a strong case for Most Improved Player while being one of the main offensive focal points for the Hornets.

This was never made more evident than in his game against the Atlanta Hawks just before the season was put on hiatus. Rozier dropped a career-best 40 points, though it would result in a losing effort on the road.

Still, it firmly cemented him as a valuable asset and one the team could look to build around through free-agency and the draft. Not bad for a guy who spent most of his time riding the pine in Boston.

If there’s anything he can improve on, it’s his consistency, but that’s a minor gripe. The more experience he gets as a leader, the more consistent his offensive game will be. Then again, even Kemba Walker had off nights from time to time.

It’ll be interesting to see if Terry can improve further. Who knows? Maybe at some point, he can be the next Charlotte Hornet to play in the All-Star game. Until then, it’s looking like the backcourt for the Hornets is in good hands for now.

Keep your eyes glued to our site as we continue to release our final season grades for every Charlotte Hornet from this past season. Drop us a comment if you agree or disagree with our takes.