Four players who need to step up: Vernon Carey Jr., Big, Charlotte Hornets
Vernon Carey Jr. is the biggest wild card on the Hornets this season. He is easily the second-best center on the roster after Plumlee. Depending on how often Washington sees minutes at center, expect to see Carey on the court as the back-up until, and if, Jones is ready to see legitimate minutes.
Carey had bright flashes last year in limited appearances. He played 19 games last year and even started four games near the end of last season.
This season will be an important one for Carey. He proved to be the better of the second-round centers from last year’s draft, but that will not be enough for him to secure his future in Charlotte.
On offense Carey has potential. He is crafty in the post and agile enough to step out the paint and drive the ball to the basket. The 3-point shot is not part of his game, but he can step behind the arc and knock down a shot given the space.
Defensively though, Carey is a liability. His footwork on the defensive side of the floor is sub-par and he gets beat to the basket. His defensive IQ needs improvement too. Like all rookies adjusting to the NBA, Carey struggled to understand defensive rotations. This is the primary reason his minutes were so limited last year, even if he would start.
Carey has the potential to be a good rim protector. Last season he had five blocks, which isn’t impressive, but he showed flashes of what could be.
Carey’s development will be an important factor in how competitive the Hornets are this season.