Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Three breakout candidates for the Charlotte Hornets

By Ethan Olson

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks against the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on April 05, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks against the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on April 05, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Nov 3, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward PJ Washington (25) holds his arm after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward PJ Washington (25) holds his arm after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

PJ Washington

If Miles Bridges does not see the court this season, PJ Washington will have a big role to fill as the main front court compliment to LaMelo Ball. Bridges flourished in last season in his fourth year in the league, averaging career highs across the board. With Washington entering his fourth season in the NBA, this may be his season to shine.

While Bridges and Washington have different skillsets, Washington could help mitigate the loss of Bridges and replace some of his production. Washington’s ability to shoot from three-point range is valuable, as he is a 37.5% career three-point shooter. shooting 37.5 percent. Overall, Washington has proven better in this category than Bridges, who is a career 34.6% three-point shooter.

This past season, Washington saw a downtick in minutes to 27.2 per game from 30.5 per game in 2021. That season, Washington produced similar numbers to Bridges in nearly identical minutes.

Washington averaged 12.9 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 1.1 steals per game and 1.2 blocks per game in 2022, all while putting up career highs in three-point percentage (38.6), double doubles (10), and Player Impact Estimate (8.9).

With front court minutes to fill, Washington could have the opportunity to put together a fourth-year leap. Washington already appears to be a superior defender to Bridges and has also been more efficient from three-point range. Washington’s scoring may not be as robust as Bridges, but if he can continue to improve, he could prove to be a long-term piece of Charlotte’s core.

Home/Hornets News