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Charlotte Hornets: Who would be protected in an expansion draft?

By Anthony Boscia

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 12: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the first half of their game against the Toronto Raptors at Spectrum Center on December 12, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 12: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the first half of their game against the Toronto Raptors at Spectrum Center on December 12, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Charlotte Hornets, Devonte' Graham
Charlotte Hornets Devonte’ Graham and Miles Bridges. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The following Charlotte Hornets’ players are good bets to be protected from a selection in an expansion draft.

Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges has had a very great start to the season. The former 12th overall pick is averaging 9 points and 5 rebounds so far while shooting 46%. He also has established nice chemistry with LaMelo Ball . Air BnB and their lobs have brought some added energy and excitement to the Hornets’ bench. They have been working so well together that they are normally closing games now in tight situations also. Bridges definitely has the upside to be a decent enough contributor on a very good team, especially if his defense keeps improving. The athleticism, three-ball, and improved/tighter handles and his post game has made him valuable to the Hornets so far. He should be protected.

Devonte’ Graham

Although Devonte’s contract is expiring, he will be a restricted free agent, he is too valuable to the offense to just let go for nothing in my opinion. Although his efficiency numbers are down, he boasts the best turnover% on the team and has an almost 5-1 AST/TO ratio, another number shown his value as a facilitator also. With Ball here, it is very unlikely that Graham will be a starter in the long-term (although not entirely unfeasible, as two PG sets have been used a whole lot by Borrego this season), but his value could be used as a gunner and as a ball distributor. Even taking his potential to fall down the pecking order in the rotation into account, what he brings is valuable enough to protect, especially considering the fact he does have a decent amount of time to improve some more too. Therefore, Graham a fairly good bet to be protected.

Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier’s role and roster spot was called into question before this season with the addition of Ball and with what seemed like a really crowded backcourt. Rozier started off this season with a career-high 42 in Cleveland and has still played pretty dang well ever since. He has scored in double-digits in 13 out of 14 games so far and has also grabbed 4 or more boards in nearly half of the contests so far. He has so far kept up his basically elite C&S 3 numbers from the season before, canning around 47% on about 5 attempts per game. Rozier’s scoring ability has helped get the Hornets out of ruts before and kept the team going through some dry spells too. His scoring and good 3 point shooting are probably more-than-enough to be protected by the Hornets’ brass.

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