If There was an Expansion Draft, who would the Hornets Protect?

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 26: Head coach James Borrego of the Charlotte Hornets speaks with teammates LaMelo Ball #2 and P.J. Washington #25 during the fourth quarter of their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Spectrum Center on December 26, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

As you can see there would be some tough decisions. If I were the Hornets, the list would be:

1 – LaMelo Ball

2 – PJ Washington

3 – Miles Bridges

4 – Gordon Hayward

5 – Devonte’ Graham

6 – Terry Rozier

7 – Jalen McDaniels

8 – Malik Monk

Obviously, I love the first six, but I really buy in McDaniels’ potential to be a good role player and think that Monk still has some tremendous upside as a scorer as well.

I believe the Hornets would ultimately make the decision to protect the following players:

1 – LaMelo Ball

2 – PJ Washington

3 – Gordon Hayward

4 – Miles Bridges

5 – Terry Rozier

6 – Devonte’ Graham

7 – Caleb Martin

8 – Cody Martin

Judging by current rotations, the Hornets may let Monk walk in free agency instead of matching contracts, and they seem to have immense trust in the Martin twins. There will be some tough decisions, but no players that the Hornets decision-makers think are future core players are really at risk of being unprotected, and that is a very great thing.

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

By Anthony Boscia | Jan 17, 2021