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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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ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 17: Cody Martin #11 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball as Dwayne Bacon #8 of the Orlando Magic defends at Amway Center on December 17, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 17: Cody Martin #11 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball as Dwayne Bacon #8 of the Orlando Magic defends at Amway Center on December 17, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

The Charlotte Hornets’ front office has tough decisions to make regarding protecting these players from an expansion draft.

Caleb Martin

This is where things get really interesting. Most people from this point on have a chance to be protected, but there is almost definitely no guarantee for them. Caleb Martin has worked his way into the rotation after being an undrafted free agent last year. Although he did not get many minutes last season, this season has been somewhat different, he has even become a favorite for James Borrego it seems. Not only is he almost as good defensively as his brother is, but he also is a lot better brother offensively He has been a pretty good 3 point shooter thus far in his second  NBA season. I think he could be a good role player for the future, and he should be protected.

Jalen McDaniels

Jalen McDaniels would be another future rotation player that the Hornets could protect. Although his minutes have basically gone away as the season has gone on, he still can be a very solid player in the future for the Hornets. His blend of size/length, three-point shooting, and being an active defender could be very valuable on an NBA court someday. If he can put some muscle on his frame, that could potentially be very very beneficial to him. I think he’s worth at least thinking about protecting.

Malik Monk

Malik Monk is a weird one. Mitch Kupchak praised him as being the most talented on the team, but missing training camp and some preseason games with COVID did not help in his case for some playing time, especially with other players stepping up in his absence and he hasn’t been able to get his footing in the rotation since. I still think he has potential to be something special, especially as a scorer off the bench or maybe even in the starting lineup if he keeps improving, but with him heading towards free agency and especially with his minutes pretty hard to come by, right now, he is nowhere near a lock to be protected. Still, Monk is definitely someone to watch.

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