Charlotte Hornets: How to improve the center position

Charlotte Hornets: Is a long-term starting center already on the roster?

On their current roster, as stated, there are two possible long term options at center – Kai Jones and PJ Washington.

We’ll start with PJ Washington, because we largely know the type of player that he is and will continue to be.

Washington, 23 years old, is an inconsistent yet unique big man that brings a modern skill set. When he is at his best, Washington gives you about 17 points per game on high-level 3-point shooting and solid post defense. The issue with Washington, though, is that he is rarely at his best. That’s not to say that he cannot become that player consistently.

This past season, Washington averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game on shooting splits of 44/39/75. The modern skill set is ideal for what the NBA currently is, but It’s hard to see Washington ever being an above average starter – but considering most NBA players make the biggest jump of their career from their second to third season, we’ll find out more in 2021-22.

Now, with Kai Jones, the most intesting part of his game is that we don’t know much. He was known as a really raw prospect coming into the NBA, but like Washington, he also brings a hypothetical ultra-modern skill set.

In the short-term, Jones should be a lob threat and offer athleticism on defense. Ideally, if everything goes well for Jones and his development, he will become a big man that can hit open threes, switch on defense, and attack from the perimeter. Whether that happens is dependent on the Hornets developmental staff and Jones himself, but it is unlikely that he hits his top career outcomes. If he is able to affect winning, it won’t be in his first year. Patience is the key for Kai Jones.