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Charlotte Hornets: 3 players who must step up in Gordon Hayward’s absence

By Shawn Simmons

Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 28: Cody Martin #11 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Phoenix Suns during their game at Spectrum Center on March 28, 2021 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 28: Cody Martin #11 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court against the Phoenix Suns during their game at Spectrum Center on March 28, 2021 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

The second-year forward from Nevada has worked himself back into the rotation after early-season struggles

Cody Martin has been in and out of the rotation this season but has logged 22 minutes per game in the last eight for the Charlotte Hornets.

Coach James Borrego likes Martin because of his play on the defensive end of the floor, but the reason why Martin lost playing to in favor of his twin brother Caleb Martin earlier in the season was because Caleb had improved drastically on defense and was capable of scoring on the offensive end.

In 36 games this season, Martin averages 3.8 points per game. He hasn’t scored double figures in a game this season. He’s scored nine points three times, eight points four times, and five points or less 27 times. In Martin’s last three games, where he played 20, 18, and 19 minutes respectively, Martin has totaled five points.

The Hornets could use Martin’s defensive with three of their top scorers and playmakers out of the lineup, but if Martin can’t give something on the offensive end, I’m not too sure that playing him over his brother would be the smart move for Borrego to make.

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