Mark Williams
It may seem a bit premature to list Mark Williams as one of the players with the most to prove for the Charlotte Hornets this season. However, with high expectations comes high responsibility, and Williams was drafted in hopes of filling the gaping hole at the center position for the Hornets.
While he does not necessarily need to become a stalwart at the center position this season, he does need to at least show the potential of becoming Charlotte’s long-term solution at the position. With incumbent starter Mason Plumlee entering unrestricted free agency in 2023 and with fellow big man Nick Richards entering restricted free agency at the same time, there is a chance that Williams is the only returning center for the 2023-24 season.
While the Hornets have another young big man in Kai Jones, he represents more of a long-term project as opposed to an expected contributor in the near future. If Williams can begin to show flashes of being a rim protector and a pick-and-roll partner with LaMelo Ball this season, the future will begin to look much brighter both for Williams and for the Hornets.