Charlotte Hornets mailbag: questions that need answers
By W.B. Whitted
Hi everyone! Mailbags are an opportunity to hear more about what the thoughts are from the fan base. It’s one thing to analyze a game, but taking questions from fellow Charlotte Hornets fans builds a sense of community. It also helps to have more voices in the room. Unlike the kitchen, there can never be too many cooks in the Hornets Hive.
It’s also good to check in this late in the season because if you’re a fan of a 21-win Hornets squad and still feel connected enough to be genuinely curious about it, then you deserve to have your voice heard. With that said, let’s hear what y’all have to say about this 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets team.
@EvanMetaxatos: Are you ready to call James Bouknight’s draft pick a bust at this point?
Whew., Way to start this off. After LaMelo Ball went down, James Bouknight seemed like he might get more in-court time. Not just because he’s a guard, but because he was called up from the G-League around the same time. Instead, Bouknight has either been DNP’d or inactive in his last 27 games. He hasn’t played more than six minutes in a game since November of 2022.
While playing Bouknight may not feel like it isn’t in the plans for the Hornets this season, they did pick up his option for next season. Perhaps a full offseason with Steve Clifford at the helm will get Bouknight out of the doghouse. The 6’5 guard has shown flashes of athleticism and three-point accuracy. It’s hard to believe a team couldn’t use some of his talents–even if it isn’t in Charlotte.
An important note: Bouknight was arrested for DUI with a gun earlier in the season. Certainly, the Hornets are wary of having any more of their players involved in legal issues given Miles Bridges’ recent legal troubles. It feels too early to call the lottery pick a bust, but he’s well on the way to looking like a wasted pick and a poor decision from a franchise that can’t afford too much of either one. Perhaps a change of scenery would be positive for both parties.
@Kingsmitty55: Is it time to move on from Hayward?
If Gordon Hayward plays the rest of the season, he would have played in more games (56) than he has since the 2018-19 season (72). He’s only averaging 14.8 points per game on the lowest effective field goal percentage since 2015-16 (in 2017-18 he played one game and wasn’t included). Hayward will have one year remaining on his contract. Given his play and injury history, his salary coming off the books after 2023-24 might be the most valuable piece of his trade asset portfolio.
The Hornets gave Hayward more money for longer than the rest of the league when he declined his player’s option from Boston. The Hornets took a swing and got a good player but couldn’t stay healthy. Hopefully, that won’t keep them from being players in future free-agency discussions.
@Zacflemo6: Should we retire Gerald Wallace’s jersey?
Absolutely. Not only is Crash a fan favorite, but he was also the only All-Star in Charlotte Bobcats’ history. He was named to the first-team All-Defense as well, in the Bobcats’ most successful regular season (44 wins in 2009-10). There isn’t a ton to celebrate, but honoring one of that team’s lone bright spots is a must. Not exactly like the rafters are filled to capacity anyway. Plus, couldn’t the fans use some gleeful nostalgia?