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

These Charlotte Hornets players are on the fringe of protection from an expansion draft.

Vernon Carey Jr.

Vernon Carey has not played thus far, but the Hornets front office obviously saw something in him to make him the 32nd pick in the draft this past offseason, especially when there was talent left in a plethora of positions, they chose him because they liked something. If an expansion team takes him, I doubt the Hornets would be all that mad about it. Carey is a very unlikely player to be protected, but still should be someone to watch for in the event of an expansion team entering the NBA.

Cody Martin

Cody Martin’s hustle made him one of the darlings on the team last season. when the young team finished the year strong before COVID hit and ended the season prematurely for non-bubble teams, but this year he is struggling for minutes so far in the rotation on a team that is sort of thin on wing players in the rotation this season. I would not say he’s a lock to be unprotected by the guys in the front office, but the smart money would be put on him remaining unprotected by Kupchak-and-Company.

Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller would most likely still be the starting center if not for him being injured in the first game, but a center who is a slightly (and maybe more than slightly depending on how his return goes) below-average starting center who is also entering his prime and likely won’t improve that much more either should not be protected over young talent on a team that is young and is not too competitive just yet either. Him being a pending free agent also hurts his case, meaning Zeller could be exposed by Kupchak and the Hornets’ brass.