Charlotte Hornets: 3 players who impressed in preseason

Charlotte Hornets: Cody Martin impressed this preseason

Cody Martin was one of the players people assumed would be fighting for one of the few remaining Hornets’ roster spots. After his preseason, everyone knew he was going to be on the team.

Martin knew the importance of his preseason opportunities and played every game like they mattered.

"“All of these games, you got to plan like they all matter,” Martin said. “Regardless if they count towards the regular season or not, because it’s going to prep us for the season. You know, guys like myself and just everybody in general, we have to have that mentality regardless. Whoever is playing and whoever is not playing, we just got to be able to step up. Next man up and just be able to play and find ways to win.”"

Martin played scrappy on both sides of the court. He was given a starting spot in Charlotte’s last three preseason games after Gordan Hayward was ruled out due to COVID protocols.

In his first two games, Martin did not do much scoring. Instead, he found other ways to contribute. Martin did a good job at grabbing rebounds, he had five against the Grizzlies. He also continued to be a presence on defense forcing a number of steals and blocks.

Borrego appreciates the value Martin has on the defense. He called him the team’s best “pound-for-pound perimeter defender” that can “guard multiple positions”.

Against Miami, Martin filled the stat sheet. He recorded 15 points 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. In this game, Martin looked like a guy who could earn a contributing role in the rotation.

Martin was the only player who found success against the Mavericks. In that game, he scored 11 points and added 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

Martin made the cut and earned a spot on the Hornets’ roster. With the regular season around the corner, only time will tell how much he plays.