Sunday saw Collin Sexton play in a Charlotte Hornets uniform for the first time. It may have only been a preseason bout, but it could have very well been a foreshadowing of their possible plan to showcase him once the regular season starts, in hopes of leveraging his value and getting a sizeable package in return.
While many predicted that Sexton would likely secure a starting wing spot alongside Brandon Miller, that proved false on Sunday, as the Hornets went with Kon Knueppel.
Based on what we saw in their loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the role is the rookie's to lose, sending a message to doubters by scoring the most for Charlotte with 18 points and exhibiting heady decision-making on offense.
Perhaps a crucial reason coach Charles Lee would stick with Knueppel is his ability to play solid team defense. Despite the apparent lack of lateral quickness, he compensated for it with enough defensive instincts to assuage the fear that he would be a black hole on that end of the floor.
Interestingly, it was not just the starting job that Sexton couldn't land in his Hornets debut. He was not the first reserve to be subbed into the game, as Tre Mann and Liam McNeeley were brought in to replace Knueppel and Brandon Miller on the floor. The 26-year-old guard went in a few minutes later alongside Tidjane Salaun and Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Considering that it is only the preseason, it would be foolish to read too much into the substitution pattern. Lee did admit that he is still experimenting with the lineups and has called on Knueppel, Sexton, and Mann to stay ready and "be prepared to start in a lot of different ways."
So, it's not unrealistic to anticipate Sexton starting for Charlotte once the regular season starts. But based on what happened on Sunday, it's highly likely that Lee has his eyes set on presenting Knueppel with the responsibility.
Turning Collin Sexton into more assets would be a coup for Hornets
If that indeed turns out to be the case, where does that leave "Young Bull"? It's safe to say that he will still have a prominent part with the Hornets as a key player off the bench. However, if he does not get promoted to the starting lineup, trade talks involving him may intensify as the months pass. And if he manages to excel as a dependable playmaker or microwave scorer (or both) in the second unit, he could attract suitors, especially near the trade deadline.
Charlotte flipping Sexton into more assets when it already stunningly fleeced the Utah Jazz earlier this offseason by obtaining him and a future second-round pick in exchange for just Jusuf Nurkic would be a pretty huge haul for team president Jeff Peterson.
Such a move could set the Hornets back because they would be letting go of a proven veteran in Sexton. However, keep in mind that the club is likely hoping Mann can grow into that role and is still in dire need of a perimeter defender to slot into the rotation.